If you can believe it, Spring Training is quickly coming to a close, opening day is a mere 2 weeks away, and I haven't said a thing about the Indians.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm not quite sure yet, the lineup is little different from last season. I think this is a good thing. To come as close as they did to beating the Sox last fall, I think these guys are hungry to get back to the postseason. Hopefully Hafner went to an eye doctor.
The strength of this team is going to be the starting rotation. Anchored by last season's Cy Young winner, and free agent-at-the-end-of-the-season, CC Sabathia. He just keeps getting better and better each season. Hopefully his head doesn't get bigger than it already is thinking about all of those dollar signs that await him at the end of this season. The #2 guy is going to be Carmona. If he can get back half of what he did last season he's in store for another good season. Next in the rotation is admitted HGH user Paul Byrd. The crafty vet is coming off arguably his best season in the bigs and lets hope he can have another good one. #4 in the rotation is Jake Westbrook. He finished last season pitching really well by winning 8 of his last 11 starts in August and September. And from what I can figure, the #5 starter is up for grabs. Between Laffey, Lee, or Sowers. With a little luck one of those guys will step up and take over the spot in the rotation.
The bullpen should be solid again this season. The bullpen is boring. Middle relievers are about as exciting to talk about as hemorroids. With a little luck Borowski figured out how to get 3 consecutive batters out over the winter. Even with all of his breakdowns, he was able to rack up 45 saves with an ERA over 5 and opposing batters hitting close to .300 against him.
I'll get to the lineup tomorrow. It will give me something to do.
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