Indians postseason?

Question

Will the Indians make the playoffs and if they do how far will they go and why?

Answer 1

I felt the Indians had a chance to go to the playoffs before the season started. For that to happen I believed Ryan Garko and Casey Blake had to give Martinez and Hafner some offensive support. I believed Sabathia and Sowers had to have good years and Borowski had to come around as a closer. All of that has occurred with the exception of Sowers but Fausto Carmona has filled that hole. With all that being said, I believe the Indians has what it takes to make the playoffs without having to add any players, but not enough pitching to get them very far into the playoffs.

Answer 2

Playoffs-certainly. How far is arguable.
Paul Byrd-CC Sabathia-Fausto Carmona can beat any couterpart in a series-I'm confident in that. What I'm also confident in is that Cliff Lee gives the Indians a chance to lose every time he pitches-Mr. Inconsistents act is getting old. Every start he's good for 5 runs in 5 innings. It's like giving up a 5-0 handicap before first pitch. They need more consistency in the #4-5 spot. We know Sowers is doomed to AAA where he belongs -within a week when Westy comes back. But my problem is that the Indians need wins--every win is big --look at the 2005 campaign when they won 90 games and were one game short. So I don't know why Cliff Lee is up here. He costs this team games and I don't think he is so valuable to this team that he can't be traded or sent to AAA. If this was a slump--fine, but Lee has not been consistent his entire career minus one solid season, It's time for a AAA pitcher to be brought up--and I think most Tribe fans know exactly the one I have in mind (initials A.M.).
Now with that being said-it's been confirmend that the Indians are in talks with Troy Percival to add some bullpen punch. If healthy-good move. I'm not sold on Borowski in the postseason-but I'm not 100% down on him either. This team is only going to get better-defensively and offensively. I'm not going to discuss offense-as a logical Tribe fan-you know what we got. One thing I don't want to see more of is Andy Marte (the names Corey Smith and Alex Escobar come to mind). I would like to see Jason Michaels get more playing time over Dellucci.I think Keely Shoppach will be huge down the stretch to keep Victor fresh-and Kelly can mash too. I don't agree with the above poster about dealing Sowers-he's young-he needs to rebuild confidence and work some things out in the minors. BUT I'D DEAL LEE right now.I thing Indians need to explore some pitching depth (Bullpen more then starting) before the trade deadline. I'm also thinking that Detroit is going to try to strengthen their staff before deadline too (see Mark Buerhle/Dontrelle Willis as possibilities---scary huh?) I think a veteran arm in that pen is needed for more depth.
So in closing-if this Lee/Sowers disaster can be rectified and Westbrook comes back solid-I look for Cleveland to be in the ALCS battling with Boston come October. Lets face it, unless they have a catastrophic meltdown-or injuries-the path to the W. Series is going to go through Boston.

Answer 3

I certainly think they have a good solid chance of making the playoffs. They will battle with Detroit for 1st all season. Whomever doesnt take the division should take the wild card.

Now once the playoffs start, anything can happen.

I certainly would love to see Cleveland & Detroit play for ALCS, and go 7 games. That would be awesome.

Answer 4

I think they will make it and I would also like to see that Detroit & Cleveland in some ways, because it would be a good match up and also that would mean the AL East & the AL West wouldn't be in the ALCS.

I think Sowers will go very soon, and that will help alot, maybe along with a acouple of others like Marte, will be traded for one good player.

Answer 5

I think the tribe will see the postseason.
Of course, I've thought that the last two years, and see how they've done.