I realize there is still half of the season left, but I think it's safe to say that last night WAS the final nail in the coffin for the Tribe this year. There is absolutley no hope left for this team. Here's why..........
The Indians faced Barry Zito last night. The left-hander came in 0-6 with a 9.32 ERA in interleague play since signing with the Giants before the 2007 season. Going into yesterday, Zito was 2-11 with a 6.32 ERA. This would be the perfect matchup to revive a struggling offense, right? ...... Errrr..... Wrong!
Zito allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four without a walk in his best start of the year. Of course he did........
If we can't beat Zitto, we must be done!
Cleveland lost for the sixth time in eight games. Combined with Kansas City's 4-2 win over Colorado, the Indians fell into last place this late in a season for the first time since the AL Central was formed in 1994.
To say that this season has been a huge disapointment is a major understatment. I as well as others were expecting big things from the Tribe this year. Unfortunately, it seems as if they are still mentally crippled from what happened to them in the ALCS last year. (Up 3-1 in a 7 game series only to lose to the eventual WS Champs). Couple the mental issues with key injuries and an inconsistent bullpen and we had all of the ingrediants to a miserable season.
We'll just have to chaulk this one up as "one of those years" and hope for the best next year. Unfortunately, it is becoming more apparent that we'll have to try and compete with a lesser starting rotation than what we've been accustomed to these past few years, which is a crying shame. With our ace in Sabathia likely to be traded and our #3 Westbrook out with Tommy John surgery at least until June-July of '09, this team has some major obstacles to overcome. Hopefully management and the front office has a plan to right the ship.....