I'm sure there are many obscure, odd statistics about baseball teams beginning 0 and 5 and how it relates to their chances of making the playoffs. But is it fair to judge a team after the first five games of a 162 game season? Let's say the Tribe started off going 2 and 3 or 3 and 2. Is that really a big difference from 0 and 5? No, it's not. There are some valid reasons for concern over this years team.
Lee and Carmona could tank this year and judging by their first starts, they may be on their way. Carl Pavano is our third starter. Let me repeat that; Carl Pavano is our third starter. Pitching fourth and fifth is the dynamic duo of Scott Lewis and Anthony Reyes. This could be bad.
I really think that the offense is going to be alright this year. They will not set any records, but they are a solid group of hitters. It looks like Hafner may be coming back to full strength and Sizemore has been hitting the ball hard and stealing some bases. It's early, but positive signs.
Here is my list of reasons for why I think the Indians still have a legitimate shot to win the division.
1. They play in the Central Division which is not a good division. I think they could win the division with only 85 or 87 wins. The Twins can't hit, the Tigers can't pitch, The Sox can't read and the Royals can't win. They just can't. Put aside any silly thoughts about the Royals being this years Rays. Not going to happen.
2. It's an odd numbered year. For whatever reason, they do well in odd numbered years.
3. Jake Westbrook could be back in June. If he is back and pitching well, we can say goodbye to half of the Lewis/Reyes dynamic duo. Maybe he picks up six or eight wins and becomes a solid force in the middle of the rotation.
4. Lee and Carmona can't possibly be this bad all year. They just can't, can they? What are the odds that they both have awful years at the same time? Like 500 to 1?
5. They have a good bullpen and a legitimate closer.
6. We got Carl Pavano! Hey, who's to say that his ERA of 81.00 after his first start wasn't just a fluke? He could easily come back and win 15 games this year. Or lose 15 games this year.
7. We have some great names on the team: Vinnie Chulk, Tony Graffanino, Mark DeRosa, Masa Kobayashi, Pavano, Trevor Crowe and Wood. Good names have to mean something, right?
8. THERE ARE STILL 157 GAMES LEFT IN THE SEASON.
This is not the time to panic, Tribe fans. It's not even the end of tax season and the season is very long. Hopefully, it just won't seem that long.
