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My friend IMs me today after the Indians lose 10-3 to the Detroit Tigers.
"[S}till wanna say world series champs?"
The tribe certainly doesn't look like it in the early going, and are off to an 8-12 start, now having dropped their last two games.
I have looked for answers far and wide.
The pitching? Hardly. As long as Westbrook doesn't face the Tigers, he's been better than last season. Sadly, he's 0-5 because the offense can't seem to provide support. Sabathia has been great, Millwood has been good and the bullpen has been solid.
The defense? Yeah, pretty poor, but not without some improvement. Yes, Omar Vizquel is gone to San Francisco, and Peralta is not going to replace him. But he will get better with the glove.
The offense? Inexcusably bad. That hasn't stopped the Indians' public relations team -- otherwise known as the radio broadcasters, from making excuses.
Look, these guys are major leaguers for a reason. Save Coco Crisp and Ronnie Belliard and perhaps Travis Hafner, the Indians have been AAA-like so far.
Oh, and then there's Eric Wedge's porn star mustache, which he still hasn't shaved off. Maybe he thinks it makes him look like Dick Williams or James Gammon's Lou Brown.
The Indians are 8-12. It's early, but here's the thing: The White Sox, Twins and maybe even the Tigers aren't exactly going to wait for the Indians to enter the race.
Do I expect Chicago to keep up on its 16-6 pace? No, but they won't nose dive either, not with that pitching.
The future is now. It's time the Indians start playing like it.