A Quest Called Tribe

Any loss is just a loss.  One loss, no more, no less.  Neither the fact that the Tribe fell 14-2 today nor the matter of Mitch Talbot (5.87) allowing seven first inning runs supplements the standings in any way.  What it does is magnify the sense of urgency to make some substantive roster changes.

I am not yet screaming for Talbot's head.  I am willing to give the man one more start to prove that he belongs in the rotation of a contending ballclub.  Should he falter again, the time will have come for Zach McAllister to ascend to the big leagues.  No Jeanmar Gomez.  No David Huff.  No more scrubs.  Even if Talbot cannot produce a quality start in his next appearance, he should still have a spot on the major league roster as the long man.  Sliding into the role that he was destined for before Alex White stubbed his finger, Talbot would push Frank Herrmann (11.42) back down to AAA.  Herrmann's day was just as bad as Talbot's and his numbers at both levels this season have been no good.  I do not have an explanation for Frank's hardships, but the Tribe does not have the luxury of investigating on the fly.  There is no time for projects this season.  There is only for the best 25-men to win.

What does this mean for the men with the sticks?  It means sayonara to Austin Kearns (.599 OPS), happy trails Adam Everett (.642), arevia durche Shelly Duncan (.632).  It may just mean a fond farewell to Jack Hannahan (.687).  Jack has made a solid case to stay as an integral cog in the Indians' winning ways of 2011.  The other three have made little, if any contribution.  Rave all you like about Duncan's leadership and clutch hitting, the man in batting .121 in May and that is after two hits today.  Grady is ready to come off of the DL and Cord Phelps, at the very least, is ready to splash down lakeside. What is the downside of giving these kids a look?  Oooh, we will not be able to find another right handed outfielder to hit Mendoza with zero taters?  Please.

What else can I say about a 14-2 dog?  Vinnie Pestano is still nasty.

Cheers.

P.s. It was Josh Judy that got booted down to Columbus so that Talbot could make his glorious return.

Bullpen Mafia, Yo!

I would think that Josh Judy feels left out.

No Mercy!

This is why you put the other guy on the mat and say the hell with social graces.  I don't want to go off on a rant here, but I, for one, am pretty damn sick of having to cater to people's feelings.  I have played that game, on both sides, and it's just a load of shit.  When the big voice says "Finish Him!" you had better oblige, lest you live to regret it.  Or shatter to a million tiny pieces. ;-j

Cheers.

A Quest Called Tribe

I am beginning to worry about the offense.  Following a 2 run showing in a loss to the BoSox the Indians have now put up 98 runs in their last 21 games (13-8).  That averages to 4.67 runs per game, not too shabby.  For those of you who know statistics, you understand that raw averages can be deceiving.  Such is the case with the Tribe.  31 of those 98 runs were scored in 19-1 thrashing of the Royals and Sunday's 12-4 romp over the Reds (this means too large of a standard deviation).  That leaves 67 runs scored in 19 games (11-8) or an average of 3.53.  Yeah, that's not very good.  The American League average for the season in 4.23 and only the lowly Twins came into Tuesday averaging fewer than 3.53 runs/game.  Now the Indians still have the best record in baseball and their six game lead on Detroit is nearly twice the margin that any other division leader sports, but we should be mindful.  Especially with Travis Hafner out for at least a month.  Especially with Grady Sizemore nursing two sore knees.  Especially with Carlos Santana batting .203 and Shin-Soo Choo lingering at .244.  Most especially with our phenom starter (Alex White) out until at least August and our "ace" now sporting a 3-5 record and a 4.73 ERA.

Oh Fausto.  In a year when so much of the team's talent has progressed, you, sir, seem to have regressed.  Again.  For a team that often needs to scratch and claw and for every baserunner, let alone every run, the slop of the second and the disgrace of allowing a home run to 86-year old catcher are simply unforgivable.  Get your stinkin' head screwed on straight or the depth of pitching in this system will catch up to you before you realize that you are throwing long relief in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Do your job Fausto!  Or get the fuck out of town.

It was nice to see Travis Buck hit the home run off of Papelbon.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 05.25.11 - Estella Warren

[Incoherent grunting]... Dude, I really like beauty marks.