Archive for September, 2011

Back to .500, again. Back in second place, again. The Indians took steps forward in securing their new goal of finishing above .500 for the first time since 2007.  Manny Acta believed his team could do it back in training camp, and for a while they made believers of everyone. Still, a winning record would be more than what most people on the lakefront would have expected this year.       September 19, 2011 Progressive Field Scouting Report Seattle – In the midst of their final road trip of the season, the Mariners are making a stop in Cleveland [...]

The hopes of the Indians making the playoffs have faded. Detroit is one game away from clinching the division and have fallen three games below .500 for the first time all season. There’s still work to be done. The .500 mark is still within the Tribe’s grasp.       September 16-18, 2011 Target Field Scouting Report Cleveland – The injury bug has wreaked havoc on the Indians lineup this year. It was just announced on Thursday that Shin-Soo Choo will be shelved for the remainder of the season after experiencing pain in his left rib cage. Grady Sizemore’s return [...]

Not only did the Indians fail to take two of three from the Tigers, they were swept. Detroit may have landed a crippling blow to the Indians hopes of post-season baseball, as they now sit a full ten games out after that sweep, coupled with a series opening loss to the White Sox. This series is about a moral victory for both of these two clubs with second place on the line, and Chicago took one step closer to sealing earning it. My apologies for missing the first game, I thought there was an off day Thursday.     September [...]

The Indians post-season chances are dwindling as the days pass. After a loss to the Tigers yesterday, the Indians are now 7.5 games back in the division. With 24 games left in the season, the Indians must start gaining ground before it is too late. This charge must start by winning the next two games against the Tigers. The Indians suffered a tough loss yesterday, in a game in which saw the return of Grady Sizemore. He went 0-4, but he did have an RBI groundout. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a good game, with the exception of the three run home [...]

It seems as if the Indians just can’t get any closer than 6 1/2 games back right now. That could all change with this week’s series against Detroit. This series could bring two, very different outcomes. If the Indians lose, they could be dealt a blow similar to what the Tigers did to Chicago this weekend. If they win, the Tribe inches that much closer, and a season-ending series against the Tigers becomes even more crucial.       September 5-7,  2011 Progressive Field Scouting Report Detroit – The Tigers got a major shot in the arm after sweeping the [...]

Through everything this club has endured this season, all of the injuries, the spotty hitting, the Indians continue to stay within striking distance in the American League Central. It’s something to be said of this group of guys, the depth of this organization, and manager Manny Acta. 28 games in 28 days the rest of the way for the Tribe. There’s still a chance for October baseball in Cleveland, and watching the midges swarm on Ubaldo Jimenez on Wednesday night, made me that much more excited at that possibility.       September 2-4, 2011 Kauffman Stadium Scouting Report Cleveland [...]