All-Star Predictions
The Indians are far better right now than a year ago, but unlike last season, I don't see many Clevelanders on the squad.
Looking at last year's selections, Matt Lawton is in Pittsburgh, C.C Sabathia has been average at best, Jake Westbrook has a poor win-loss record, Ronnie Belliard has been very good, but not quite as good, and Victor Martinez -- despite a 14-game hitting streak, is hitting only .242.
So let's break it down:
Locks
Bob Wickman: Somehow lost in the reality that you never feel safe when he pitches, is the fact that Wickman hasn't given up many runs. He has a 2.61 ERA, and an AL-leading 22 saves.
Possibles
Arthur Rhodes: Take out Boston, and Arthur's ERA is below one. He, along with Wickman, is the reason for the Indians turnaround in the pen. In 31 innings, Rhodes has allowed six earned runs. And he can't close? Ah well, the Indians don't need a closer now.
Cliff Lee: He's 8-3, and has a six-run lead in the second today. This means nothing in the band box that is Camden Yards. Plus, Lee has had some very bad starts this year. Closer to a long shot, I think, despite an all-star worthy record.
Grady Sizemore: He hits .298, has eight homers, can run, can field and has been one of the Indians MVPs. But in a high profile position, the quasi rookie may struggle in getting the attention of his peers at this point in his career.
Long Shots
Travis Hafner: If he played any other position(or perhaps, ANY position) he'd be a lock. But DH is a tough place to be selected, especially when one considers David Ortiz plays DH and plays in Bahston, one of the two cities where the national media still acknowledges that big league baseball is played.
Coco Crisp: Pretty much the same argument made for Sizemore can be made for Crisp, a hitter who reminds me of Barry Larkin. Originally, I thought Crisp was a solid fourth outfielder. Boy was I wrong. Thanks St. Louis.
Ronnie Belliard: Another great season, but behind Brian Roberts and others, has little chance of being a two-time all-star.
Aaron Boone: Kidding.
posted by Zach @ 1:21 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
All-star selections have to be taken with a grain of salt. At their best, they are merely barometers of how a player has done for the first half of a season. At their worst, they are acknowledgements of a player's reputation preceding him (Cal Ripken in his final few years).
The Indians had a bunch of players get off to fast starts last year, and as such, had five all-stars. Even as a Cleveland fan, I have to say that is a ridiculous total for a team that finished 80-82 and in third place.
This year, the whole offense got off to a slow start, and even though some hitters like Sizemore and Hafner are putting up all-star type numbers in the past two months, their season stats are curbed just enough to put them out of the running.
Even though this year's team has finally gained a foothold above .500 for the first time in four years, and is breathing down Minnesota's neck for the wild-card lead at the moment, only Wickman is among (or in this can holding) the league lead in a stat that makes the decision-makers sit up and take notice. Thus, he's on the all-star team. Rhodes would have been a worthy selection, but after seeing him in Boston, I think he could use the three days off.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home