I haven't been sleeping lately. Maybe it's the change in climate, or the fact that my workload just doubled, but I've found it increasingly difficult to recharge my batteries at night. As a result, I've utilized my insomnia and focused my attention on the only love in my life, the Cleveland Indians.
After last night's shutout of the Oakland Athletics, the Tribe's starters have recorded 34 consecutive scoreless innings. Nine innings each from Carmona and Lee, 7 and a third from Byrdie, and seven each from Sabathia and Laffey. As thrilled as I am with the recent performances, I must say it worries me horribly as well.
Last year Cleveland rode their two 19-game winners (C.C. and Fausto) into the ALCS. Only problem was, they had each fired so many innings that they ran out of bullets when it counted. Cleveland blew a 3-1 lead. In the off season Cleveland didn't make any substantial moves.
So here's my proposal. Currently Jake Westbrook is on the DL with a right rib cage muscle strain. He's scheduled to return in about three weeks. When he returns, it appears Cleveland will send Aaron Laffey back to Triple-A Buffalo. Let's keep him and utilize the dreaded 6-man rotation.
Sabathia, Carmona, Lee, Westbrook, Byrd and Laffey would not only get the job done, but with an extra day of rest over the course of the season they will make less starts and therefore be more apt to pitch well in September. This strategy could also keep Sabathia's stats down, possibly making it easier to re-sign him at season's end.
The pitchers will adjust after only a few starts and with scheduled off days and rain outs, pitching on an extra days rest is nothing new. If someone were to succumb to an injury, just plug in Jeremy Sowers who will make a spot start Friday against Cincinnati after the rain-out on Mother's Day.
We have the resources, why not use them in an effort to maximize our potential when we need it most? The playoffs.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment