Paul Byrd is used to having less-than-inspiring stuff. Maxing out at 85 mph doesn't concern him.
But when that 85-mph pitch has no life on it, Byrd knows he's in trouble.

"Eighty five that's got life on it, it cuts, it slides, it's sneaky," Byrd said. "Then there's 85 that is batting practice. It looks like it's on a tee."

If you're wondering which variation of the 85-mph pitch Byrd was throwing Wednesday afternoon in the Indians' series and road-trip finale against the Angels, look to the final score. The Tribe fell to this 9-5 defeat on a day in which Byrd set the batting-practice tone by serving up three home runs in only three innings of work -- including a second-inning grand slam by Mike Napoli."
- From MLB.com

One of the reasons a lot of folks say the Indians can win the AL Central again this year is their pitching, but up to this point in the season the starters have been inconsistent, middle relievers ugly, and closers just brutal. I hope that a nice home series against the A's helps them clean up some of their problems, but the A's are no joke having just beaten the Indians 2-1 in a three game series in Oakland.

The good news is that the Tribe's bats came alive today (Wed). I am hoping that they keep up the hitting in Cleveland. A series win or even a sweep would be a real nice weekend gift.

Go Tribe!

Pitching has not been good this year at all. CC needs to get his crap together, and the bullpen is struggling. Hopefully its just early season rust.

Everything is magnified early in the year. Byrd had an ERA around 5 most of last year but still got (I think) 13 wins. Middle relievers give up runs every once in a while, but when we're only 8 games into the year the ERA's are going to look bad.

This time last year (and even til the trade deadline) our bullpen looked like a weakness and we were going after the Sorias, Gagnes, and Lidges of the league. By the playoffs it was maybe our best strength (until the 9th inning)

The good thing is Grady, Jhonny and Garko are swinging big bats (all around .300) we already have one Pronk sighting, and Vic has looked great in his few games.

Of course we still have Mr. Incredible, Fausto with his 0.69 ERA after two starts. Westbrook has looked like the Westbrook we signed to a $10M/year contract. Raffy Perez still hasn't given up an earned run.

Cliff Lee.....6.2 innings, 4 Ks, 4 hits, 1 walk....0 earned runs.


........



just let that soak in. Cliff Lee!



I refuse to believe that believe CC and Betancourt forgot how to pitch over the summer. I'm pretty sure we can win a few games this year.

Good post, CIMO. You are right. Thanks for the reality check. A series sweep against the A's at Pro Park would make me feel much better, though.

quote:

Originally posted by CIMO:
I refuse to believe that believe CC and Betancourt forgot how to pitch over the summer.

Looks like CC may have forgotten how to locate his pitches over the winter, after tonights game his era is over 11....yikes, great start to a contract year CC.