A Quest Called Tribe

Labels are dangerous things.  Fausto Carmona was anointed the Indians' #1 starter last summer and the opening day starter long before spring camp even opened.  Now the ace of our first place Tribe sits at 1-3, his ERA an ugly 5.76.  Fausto's success waxes and wanes with his command.  He must establish the propensity to throw quality strikes or the opposition will fail to flail at the wicked nasty stuff that he leaves out of the zone.  Carmona did not have any sort command on this day.  He walked four in his five innings, throwing just 49 of his 86 pitches for strikes.  More problematic is that when Fausto comes out and discovers that he doesn't have his A game, his approach changes dramatically.  Unable to spot his out pitches, Carmona relies more and more on those that he can get over the plate.  He succeeds in controlling the ball, yet ultimately fails as these pitches, regardless of type, are quite hittable.  When the dust settled today, the Twins had six runs and seven hits on the board and Fausto was off to an early shower.  We all know that Carmona has a bit of a fragile psyche, so perhaps relieving him of the weight of top billing might allow him to flourish somewhat beneath the radar.  Just a thought.

The starter was far from the only issue against the Twins.  Chad Durbin (ugh, it's back) removed any realistic possibility of an Indians' comeback by surrendering four runs in his two innings of "relief."  Durbin (7.56 ERA) had put together a couple of consecutive clean outings, but he got hit hard today, really hard.  Among the four hits allowed were a line-shot home run and a double to the gap that almost got out as well.  Let's start an official "DFA Durbin" chant.

All of this against an offense that entered play batting a robust .233 and averaging a whole three runs per game.  There is no excuse for this kind of pitching display.

Still, the offense could have done a lot more.  Outside of Grady Sizemore's 8th inning two-run shot down the right field line, the lineup was meek and ineffectual.  They have appeared unable to take advantage of some sub-par opposing starters.  Brian Duensing?  Bruce Chen?  C'mon guys.  Of Sizemore's 9 hits since returning from the DL, five (3 2B, 2 HR) have been for extra bases.  Even after an 0-for-4 today, Michael Brantley is still hitting .296 with an OBP dancing right around .400.  While Manny Acta seems reluctant to redesign his lineup card, wouldn't it seem much more sensible to bat Brantley leadoff and take advantage of Sizemore's power deeper in the lineup?  There is, of course, the theory that batting Brantley at seven effectively creates a second leadoff man that utilizes Sizemore's production anyway.  There might, emphasis on might, be some merit to this thought, but when your club cannot outslug the opposition with the likes of Sean O'Sullivan on the mound, it is likely time to get back to basics.

In case you're wondering, the Clippers have been rained out on back to back days now, although Johnny Cueto did sign for me during warm-ups yesterday.  I officially remove my hex.  He can keep his arm.  I do not think the man speaks English as well as, say, Shin-Soo Choo.

Cheers.