Bizzarre
"Jose Lima is having a horrible year,"-- Tom Hamilton, prior to tonight's 5-3 loss to Lima and the Royals.
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It wouldn't be fair or correct for me to assume the Indians' effort during the current stretch (11 losses in 13 games) is any less than it was a few weeks ago. But I do wonder, why.
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Why have the Indians been held to three runs or less in all but two of the games since the break?

Why has C.C Sabathia been pitching the worst baseball of his career?

Why are the Indians still counting on Casey Blake,who has not been good at all this season? At least Aaron Boone is coming back from injury. Blake got two hits tonight, but hit into a double play with the bases loaded, and struck out with two in scoring position late. He just continues to frustrate.

I like Aaron Boone, but ... ah, why join the pack?

Why did the Indians deal the only solid left hand bat on their bench for a guy who looks exactly like Blake and Boone at the plate?

Why is Brandon Phillips looking so lost at the plate? What exactly has happened to Phillips since he was all but promised stardom by people like Peter Gammons?
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The Indians are four games back in the wild card. If history is any indication, the Tribe will likely run off 10 straight wins, take over the wild card, then watch the bats go silent again as the team finishes at .500.

Personally, I think the Indians ought to go into seller mode. Yes, they are four games back, but they're in sixth place in the standings for the spot. And one of the teams ahead of them is New York, who will likely do something in the next eleven days.
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There are two schools of thought on the Indians. You're either satisfied with the progress or bitterly disappointed.
Being that I predicted the Indians to win the World Series this season, count me in the latter group.
But don't blame fans for the high expectations. They are just following what Dolan and company told them when they parted with Robbie, Bartolo and Jim Thome.
"Wait till 2005," they said.
"Trust us."
It was foolish, in retrospect, and I can't blame Shapiro, who likely got his orders from above. The Indians payroll is at 42 million this season. The payroll might field a contender if the players are reaching the high levels of their potential, but many aren't there yet.
One year from now, we could be discussing playoff tickets. The whole plan is by no means a failure.
But this season is beginning to look like a repeat of last year. Better, but not there.
Not yet.