We have finally made it to Opening Day!!! Rather than give a breakdown of where I project the Tribe to finish, I would rather spend this post explaining the things that need to go right for the Tribe to make the playoffs. In baseball, you can't always control the teams around you, you need to win the games you are supposed to win, focus on winning series, and keep your own team improving. Yes the Tigers adding Prince Fielder is a big deal on the division, but if the Tribe can't get out of their own way, does it really matter?
Health I can not stress this enough. Last season you could have called the team the Cleveland Clippers and nobody would have batted an eye when looking at who was on that September roster. The Tribe made several moves to add to the depth at every position by signing MLB veterans such as Andy LaRoche, Jose Lopez, Fred Lewis, etc. This will help the team when the injuries start to occur, but even with that improved depth, Jose Lopez is not Asdrubal Cabrera, so we really need to stay healthy. You saw last year how being oft-injured can effect the production of even the best players. Shin Soo Choo being the best example, he finally started to get the bat going, and then got hurt in interleague play, and when he came back he needed several games to find his rhythm again. Bottom line, look at the playoff teams, they aren't scattered with key injuries up and down their roster. Its a 162 game season, and you need your best players to keep up during it.
Bullpen Mafia - the bullpen has to continue to be a strong workhorse. The bullpen was one of the best pieces of this team all year last season. We can't have a drop-off in production, or start blowing saves like we did prior to the arrival of Chris Perez. One of the things that assisted the bullpen last year was the starting pitching did a great job going deep into games, and rarely needed extended bullpen help for consecutive games. We got the starters to do that, and the bullpen is largely consisted of the same pieces of last season, so to expect them to duplicate their 2011 numbers isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Stay in the Hunt thru the All-Star Break - The Indians need to stay within striking distance by the All-Star break. Why? Well that should be the time the reinforcements arrive in Roberto Heredia and Grady Sizemore. Those would be two difference makers for contending teams if they were trade acquisitions, but for the Tribe they will be making their debuts. If the Tribe are close, adding a Cy Young runner-up and a former 3-time All-Star will give the team a huge momentum boost for the final stretch. I don't think Sizemore can play a full season anymore, however this season, the Tribe only needs him for half the season, and I think he can do that. You saw the talent last year when he was in the lineup, and you know Heredia can be a solid pitcher in any rotation when he is throwing strikes. The Indians can use their situations as an advantage to the season if they remain in contention come July.
The season starts today at 3:05 at Progressive Field. Justin Masterson vs. Ricky Romero.
Go Tribe!
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