The Cleveland Indians are in first place in the American League Central. They have been scorching-hot through the first nine games of the season, winning seven straight games, and sweeping the World Series favorite, Boston Red Sox in the process. That’s right, the CLEVELAND INDIANS. The same team that was predicted to finish somewhere between last and second to last in the division. The same team whose best and most well-known player, Grady Sizemore, is on the Disabled List recovering from left knee surgery. The same team whose number one starter, Fausto Carmona has a 9.00 ERA. The same team who has journeymen at Left Field, Third Base and Second Base. The same team whose highest paid player, Travis Hafner, hasn’t had a good season since 2006.
Can Justin Masterson continue his fast start? Image from Cleveland.comHow on Earth has a team built on has-beens and un-established youngsters been performing so well? Well, aside from the first game of the season, it has been all about the pitching. The Tribe has given up an average of 2.1 runs per game in their last eight games. Justin Masterson has come in as the number three starter and provided two startling performances – holding the powerful White Sox lineup to one run in seven innings (without the help of a strikeout) and keeping the Mariners to one run in six and a third innings for a 2-1 victory. Not to be outdone, the number four starter in the rotation, Josh Tomlin, has given Cleveland two wins of his own, notching a 2.63 ERA along the way.
The starters haven’t been the only ones carrying the Indians. The bullpen has truly been on fire to start the season. Closer, Chris Perez was thought to be the closer in waiting in St. Louis before he was shipped off to the Indians in 2009. Perez finally had a breakout year last year for the Indians when given the opportunity to close games after the Kerry Wood trade to the Yankees. Perez has been perfect coming in and shutting the door for four saves so far this season without allowing a run. Perez will certainly look to continue that form and build on his early performance throughout the season. In addition to Chris Perez, set-up man Rafael Perez is 2-0 and has also yet to allow a run. Tony Sipp has been no slouch either, recording five holds without giving up a run.
While the Indians may not have enough offensive fire-power to compete as they head into the meat of the season, this early display has given fans in Cleveland a lot of hope. In a city that was decimated by the departure of LeBron James, hope is certainly a good thing.