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Unsolicited Observations: Early Problems Plaguing Cleveland Indians World Series Hopes

By Nick Dudukovich

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The Cleveland Indians (5-9) have played one homestead this season, yet the clubs seems to be doing its best to help fans forget that there’s plenty of ball left to be played on the corner of Euclid and Ontario.

Use whatever cliche you want about baseball’s season being ridiculously long. That doesn’t change the fact the team is burying itself behind the Tigers and the Royals (currently 5 1/2 back). That’s two teams to overtake. The farther you fall behind, the harder it becomes to climb back up, no matter how long the marathon may be…

Ok, there’s the marathon cliche…let’s get rolling….

1. Every baseball fans knows offense is down across the board. This is an era for pitchers in wake of the PED wave. But for the love of Paul Sorrento, score some runs! That is still how you beat the other team. It may be harder to do, but the Tigers and Royals having winning records, because they score more than the other team, even in this era of the hurler.

The Indians inability to drive runners home is becoming painful to watch. In the rubber match against the White Sox Wednesday afternoon, Indian batters were 0-for-8 against Jeff Samardzija with runners in scoring position.

Fizzling Tribe bats are only hitting .186 with runners in scoring position. That ranks 28 out of MLB’s 30 teams. The team batting average sits at .220 heading into this weekend’s series against the Tigers. That’s 25th in baseball. All of this culminates in the Tribe scoring 44 runs–second-to-last in the big leagues.

2. Much was made about the Indians needing improved defense from last season. Many scribes took to their computers this offseason and wrote the Tribe would’ve made the playoffs in 2014 if their defense played at a mediocre level.

Grantland’s Jonah Keri recently wrote about the Tribe’s defense still being lousy, and it’s true–their defense has the third worst DRS (-2) in the American League through 14 games.

And somewhere out there, a center field playing Mike Aviles is still trying to rack that fly ball down in Chicago while a healthy Michael Bourn sits on the bench.

3. Speaking of Bourn–a case could be made that he was arguably the most important piece of the Indians’ lineup coming out of spring training. The idea of having someone who can get on base, and then be a threat to steal some bags was huge for this offense.

But Bourn’s performance, much like his first two years in an Indians’ uniform, has been underwhelming. He’s batting .208 and getting on base at a .276 clip. He has just one stolen base in 13 games, and he’s been caught stealing twice.

Bourn is making $13.5 million this year. Remember that every time he doesn’t steal a base.

4. Cody Allen‘s job as closer should be in jeopardy. Here’s his line so far: 5 IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 8 SO. His velocity is still in the mid 90s, so Allen’s problem appears to be between the ears.

On two occasions, he’s been lit up for four earned runs. The first time was against the Tigers, and the second was the blown save against White Sox with Aviles starring in center.

If Allen has another outing where he allows three or more runs, Terry Francona must consider someone else.

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5. If Allen can’t close, then whom? Scott Atchison? He’s been the best reliever so far, but the Professor already has found a nice niche in bullpen. Besides, can Atchinson really close?

A lot of votes would go to Zach McAllister. It didn’t take him long to lose his starting gig, but his fastball, which was registering in the upper 90s during spring training, may be a great fit for the ninth inning.

6. The Yan Gomes injury has just been brutal. Indians’ fans constantly talk about the team finding a right-handed stick with power. Well, that’s Gomes, and he’s gone for another four-to-six weeks.

Next: Voice of the Fan: Slow Start Sinking Tribe

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