The Official Cleveland Indians are back thread

[scd84]

Q: Who has the best offense in MLB?

A: Cleveland (1st in runs scored)

It's not even close. 20 runs below 2nd place would put you between 6th and 7th. *This is all as of this post of course which gives the Indians between 1 and 3 games on their primary competition in this category.

That's right, the good ol' Indians who mashed their way through the late 90s are back and this time they brought pitchers with them! I predict that the Tribe will dispatch the Twinkies by mid September and make a serious run this year with the domination returning next summer. The best part: good seats still available unlike 1995-2001. D*** I wish I still lived in Cleveland.

[Lithium858]

That would be cool if they started dominating the way they did in the 90's. If the Tigers get hot again too that would be a very cool rivalry since Ohio and Michigan hate each other.

[Jeff]

Big time series with the Twins this weekend. 3 back, 13 to go with Minny. Now fill The Jake.

[hertha supporter]

It won't last man...Red Sox will eventually score more runs when everyone gets back. And the pitching is not good enough for playoffs.

But they will be difficult to beat and next year they might unseat the Twins if they stay healthy.

[Jeff]

I'm a Sox fan, so I hope you're right. But the Indians primary concern is Minny, they don't really have much of a wild card shot. One game back in the AL Central if their lead holds up tonight. They're ahead of schedule, that's for sure. And they will be a factor in the whole AL very soon, and for a while.

[scd84]

Sellout last night at the Jake, another likely today. The Indians are 7-0 on Sunday home games and if they pick up the win today will go to a tie for first in the division. I'm a little wary of their upcoming schedule. The next two series are at Texas and at the Twinkies, but you can't complain about their progress so far. World Series 04 Champs!

[scd84]

Well, last time I posted in this thread I screwed up the winning streak on Sundays at home and sent them on a four game losing streak. All this just because I posted in this thread. It's ok though because this post is sure to turn things around. Go Tribe!

[Lithium858]

I'm sure they will get their stuff back together and make a run for the division. They are a very talented young team.

[tolbuck]

The Tribe is done. They are in the midst of their most brutal stretch of the season. It does not ease up until mid September, and by then they will be several games under .500.

The Tribe's biggest problem is pitching, and I am not singling out the pen. CC has not had a good second half, Lee has been brutal. Durban and Elarton?? If the arms on the farm do not pan out, then there is a probability this team won't make the postseason for quite a while. While the pen has been a probleim all season, the Tribe would be better off pursuing a starter or two in the offseason.

I hope things work out for the Tribe. But, since they are based in Cleveland, something stupid or flukey will keep them from the top. Too bad Vegas doesn't put odds on it.

[scd84]

Out of CC, Cliff, Westbrook, Guthrie, Stanford, Tadano and Durbin I have to think at least 3 or 4 will be useable starters based on their results so far. Also, with the bats they've already got, they can hopefully apply the money Dolan has saved towards pitching. I am very optimistic about next year, but I fully expect a Carlos Boozer-esque catastrophe because it's still Cleveland.

[scd84]

Well that's just about that for 2004, but how about Shapiro's original target: 2005. Anyone have any ideas for Tribe moves in the upcoming offseason to strengthen the team, besides Victor and Hafner in long term deals.