A Look at Baseball's Cleveland Indians: What Needs to Be Done to Save Their Season

It's no secret that the Cleveland Indians have improved from last season to this. Last season however was more or less an underachievement due to the fact expectations were set and they did not meet them. For instance, last year the Tribe was expected to make the Playoffs for the 1^st time since 2001 and 2 years ago came within 1 game of making it there but came up short. However, the very next season it spelled disaster and the only thing that stopped them from going all the down to last place was the Royals who were even worse and still are this season.

Fast forward to this season, currently the Indians are battling the Tigers over the AL Central Division Title and the wild card spot. The season ends today and the Indians would take the division and now in the event of a tie at the end of the season. Currently at this time, they have the best record against their own division. The starting rotation has 3 pitchers that have been rather solid in C.C. Sabathia, F. Carmona, and Paul Byrd. The 3 combined make up the majority of the Indians's wins and have the least amount of losses combined. However, the rest of the rotation has had some trouble. Lee has not had a stellar season and just hasn't been himself as a pitcher. If he could get on the ball, that would equal up to 4 solid starters with solid records assuming Cleveland's big three this season continues to pitch strong late into the season as well. The 5^th and final spot in the rotation has not been a pleasant one. No one has been able to fill that spot and be that solid pitcher needed in the rotation. Jake Westbrook is currently out on rehab starts and could come up at some point to fill that spot.

As a whole the Indians need to also win on the road. At best, they are a team that barely touches .500. The biggest issue is like while they can win at home and do really well; the issue is not being able to use it for the road as well. To be a complete and great team, winning on the road is just as important as winning at home. Big games happen during the games on the road and needing to win is important in this case. How a team could do so well at home and not so well on the road is mind-boggling. The top teams usually tend to do well in both areas and those teams win the World Series.

The bullpen also has to keep themselves stable. The closer situation has actually been good so far. Aside from a couple games, closing a game has been rather consistent. In the middle has been not too bad but not too good either. More or less, it has been enough to actually get the job done.

Cleveland's offense has had some break through and potential stars on the team like Casey Blake or Travis Hafner for one. The offense as a whole has its ups and downs but most any game the team will get it done and be able to hit the ball and score those runs needed.

Maybe the Tribe doesn't have the big stars like it had in the late 90s like Jim Thome, David Justice, Richie Sexson, Manny Ramirez, The Alomar Brothers; Robbie and Sandy, and Bartolo Colon to name a few, but that doesn't mean that this team couldn't match up to them. Maybe it's being optimistic, but this team has a chance to do something special if the team not only plays good but also most importantly stay together as a team. As long as management is willing to do what it takes to keep the team together and not get rid of the players while they are doing good, then the Indians could look to have a few good years. The minor league system has worked wonders for them and it will continue to do so.

All in all, the Cleveland Indians have great potential to do well this season and make the playoffs but potential doesn't guarantee anything. All that's left is continue to play strong and try to win the games.