56 games in
The Indians have won 28 and lost 28. Surprisingly, the team is only 8 1/2 out. And is there help on the horizon? Curtis A. took in a Bisons game, and described Andy Marte's play as "sluggish." He also said Danny Graves is finished.
Well, the second part of that is not exactly news. But anyone expecting Marte to provide the spark the team is missing is misguided.
The only way the Indians turn it around this season is if the starting pitching improves. C.C Sabathia was rocked last night, but you can't expect brilliance every time out. Paul Byrd has been better, but not strong.
Jason Johnson has been either great or awful. Cliff Lee has been a disappointment. Jake Westbrook has been inconsistent at best. We know four of these guys are capable of being good. We don't know if all four can be good at the same time. There's no reason to believe Johnson will be any better than he's been.
If the pitching improves, Cleveland will get better in spite of themselves. It plays poor defense. It runs the bases as badly as any pro team I have ever seen.
We know the Indians can contend. That doesn't mean they will.