Tribe - Sox - Game #5

Don't panic you freaks, they are still in the driver's seat.

Beckett
First of all, we now clearly know who the Cy Young Award winner should be. Their #1 has simply been better than ours. That's the only reason this series is still in play. He deserved the honor going into the post-season, but earned a TKO in the playoffs over CC to clinch it.

Hopefully, the Sox won't go to Beckett in game #7 for a couple innings - if the game is necessary. I certainly would. The Tribe can't seem to touch him right now. Being able to locate a 95 mph fastball, coupled with a nasty hook he seems to be getting over at will, makes it tough for the Wahoo bats.

Hafner
Is he ever going to hit in '07 or are we going to have to wait until '08 for him to produce? T. Hafner underachieved in the regular season and they rewarded him with a new, fat contract, making him the highest paid player in franchise history. He now has a chance to salvage something out of the season in the playoffs, but continues to struggle. It would be nice if TH drove a couple balls to the wal,l or over it, this weekend. It might help the Tribe get over the hump. He's overdue and then some.

K Love
Lofton reminded me yesterday of why I disliked him when he played for the Tribe. He always chirped and showed up umpires and was the first guy to run his mouth but last guy to mix it up. He once again showed up the umpire by dropping his bat on what was obviously strike two yesterday. Then, when Beckett got on his case after making the out, Kenny responded by runing his mouth ONLY.

If he were serious about going at it, he should have made a B line for Beckett immediately after Beckett yelled at him after coming out of the box. If he (KL) were a smarter player, he would have mixed it up with the Red Sox best pitcher right there and then. Hell, Beckett gave the Indians a perfect opening to get him out of the game, but KL wasn't smart enough or too scared to take advantage of it. I've seen that act before.

If Lofton and Beckett mix it up - they are both ejected. The umpires would have had no choice since Beckett started it.

By the way, Beckett had no business yelling at KL. Lofton showed up the umpire, not the pitcher. That's for the ump to handle, not the guy on the mound. Plus, Beckett has some balls giving Lofton a hard time when his #24 acts like a child every time he goes yard.

Don't get me wrong, KL has been a good addition, as we have already noted on these pages, but his antics get old quick. Why do you think he's been on so many teams?

Tribe OF
One day I praise them, and the next day I have to criticize them. We noted the other day how the Tribe has three centerfielders out there. Well, yesterday was simply a bad night for the Indians' OF. First, Lofton didn't take the right angle on an early double in leftcenter. Then, Sizemore and Gut can't make a play on a very catchable ball that eventually bounced off GS's glove. They'll need to shore that up some this weekend.

Manny
They should have dropped him in his last at bat last night. Ramirez would never have gotten away with that crap 25 years ago. I don't care if it's "Manny being Manny." A message needed to be sent after he stood, admired and raised his arms like a priest at mass after hitting that three-run bomb the other night. He does that crap all the time because no one has drilled him in the back yet. He may have the mind of a 15 year old, but children also understand pain.

Finally, I would NOT allow Ramirez to beat me in game #6 or #7. The best hitter in baseball the past 30 years is in a zone right now. I give him nothing to hit. Period.