Mid-Week This & That

Game #3 & Other Tribe Thoughts
Cleveland’s pitching has been slightly better than Boston’s. Advantage Tribe (2-1) heading into tonight’s game.

I was surprised Wedge didn’t go right to Rafael B. in the seventh last night. Instead he went to Lewis. It worked. But why not go straight to your horse and ask him to go 1.1 or 1.2 innings instead of just one inning? It is the ALCS. Again, Wedge seems to be pushing all the right buttons.

The Sox did make an adjustment in pitching to Peralta – showing him more breaking balls and not giving him good fastballs to hit - especially late in the count. We’ll see if JP now adjusts and goes after that first pitch “get me over fastball” he may still see.

Kenny Lofton is not one of my favorite players, but he has clearly added a spark to their line-up. A “legs” player who is still performing at this level at his age is amazing. He reminds me of D. Green - the Redskins’ corner who started into his 40s. That’s almost unheard of for players who depend on speed for their success. These guys are freaks of nature.

The Indians should show the tape of Victor’s late inning two-strike hit to left last night to G. Sizemore over and over and over again this off-season. Sizemore shouldn’t be allowed to move his bowels this winter without watching that first. They should put a video screen that pops up every time he sits on his john. Grady is a terrific talent who doesn’t maximize his ability – just yet.

Why can’t the Tribe give C. Gomez a first basemen’s glove in the late innings? Gomez is a middle infielder. It shouldn’t take much work at first to be better than what they have there defensively (Garko) late in games while holding a lead.

I for one am glad the Tribe does not have to face Beckett tonight on three days rest. I’m sure the Tribe hitters feel the same way. Now, let’s hope Wakefield’s knuckleball is all over the place and flattens out some at the most inappropriate time.

By the way, this would be a good night to be aggressive on the bases with Wakefield’s knuckleball fluttering toward home plate.

The issue of going with CC on three days rest is moot now with the Tribe up 2-1. I still wonder what Wedge would have done had the Sox won game #3. My guess is he would stay on schedule. Managers, coaches, etc.., are creatures of habit and don’t like to make changes to their routine.

With a 2-1 lead and CC & Carmona due to come around again, it looks good for the Tribe right now. It’s hard to think at least one of the two won’t pitch well in their next appearance after sub-par opening outings.

Murderers Row
My crack research team (DB) was busy at work for this next gem. The Browns, to date, have played a very favorable schedule – to say the least. It gets better. Not including divisional opponents, the remainder of their ’07 schedule features teams with a combined winning percentage of .325 (13-27). Even if you throw in the better than average Steelers, the offensively challenged Ravens and the dysfunctional Bengals, the opponents combine for a .393 winning percentage (22-34).

This all leads me to one conclusion at the off-week break – 9-7 is a reasonable expectation. Hold your laughter on this next comment – If they get good QB play and straighten out the defense to the point where it becomes a middle of the pack unit, then 10-6 is not totally out of the question.

No, I have not lost my mind. We know the following:

They have the best set of skilled players on offense, with the exception of QB, they have had since their return (1999).

Their offensive line has been outstanding. At this pace, look for Steinbach to earn Pro-Bowl honors and Joe Thomas to get some AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year votes. My crack researcher/draft guru (DB) came up with the Thomas nugget.

The play-calling has dramatically improved. Again, it helps when there is blocking, but you don’t see K2 off the field on third down any more. Get the point?

Finally, we also know this – the defense can’t possibly play any worse. They have allowed a 100 yard rusher every week and the most TD passes in the league. It has to get better. Doesn’t it?

Put all those factors together with what amounts to three consecutive bye weeks – Miami, Oct. 20 and the Rams - and you have the makings of at least a 9 win team.

Do I think they have a good football team – no! But this is the NFL, where parity reigns and everyone is given a bite at the apple.

One final thought – on short yardage and inside the opponent’s 10 yard line, I would like to see J. Cribbs taking some snaps at QB. It makes them (defenses) have to defend the whole field.

Rockies
I can’t name you five of their players. I’m not a fantasy baseball freak like many of you, but they must be awful good to win 22 of 23. That ain’t easy.

The Choir Boy
The Cavaliers have brought Mark Price in to work with their shooters. I didn’t know they had any. Why don’t they just give him (Price) his old uniform back? My guess is at his age he could probably still knock down open 20 footers better than that supporting crew.