Yankees
Baseball gives and it takes away. The Indians' loss to New York last night was perhaps the most frustrating of the year. Suddenly, the team that could do no wrong a week ago can't get anything right.
Get two on, and the grounder heads to second. Need to hold a lead, there's a leadoff walk.
In the last two games, Cleveland has looked overmatched by New York. You had to think manager Eric Wedge believed the situation was hopeless -- trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth he brought in Bob Wickman. Part of Wedge must have been relieved when the Indians left the tying run at third in the ninth.
You have to believe that part of the reason Cleveland fans are slow to buy into this club, is because it can tease you.
After getting within a game of Minnesota last year by winning six straight, the Indians freefall out of the race.
This season, the Tribe wins nine straight, only to get swept by Boston. They then win 10 of 12 on the road and two straight vs. Detroit, then drop four straight.
After scoring 13 runs in two games against the Tigers, Cleveland has failed to put up more than four in each of the last four games.
The struggles intensify because it's the Yankees, who are the only team less predictable than Cleveland.
Losing to the Yankees, at least for me, is double the irritation. No matter what the Indians do, you can always take some joy in a New York loss.
Games like this make it impossible to enjoy the MLB.