Hello Tribe fans everywhere!
Yes, the Indians offensive attack has more holes than Tim Hortons' doughnuts, and closer Joe Borowski can't be trusted to get within 5 miles of a gas station (he'd turn the place into an inferno). But it's way too early to push the panic button.
Borowski's velocity is way down, but it apparently was at this low level at the start of last season. Plus, the guy will never be confused with Bob Feller. He's crafty, and to keep his job as Cleveland's closer, he'll have to out-think the hitters.
The weak spots so far have been left field, right field and third base. But, except for left field, I think the team should pull together. C.C. Sabathia and Paul Byrd have pitched poorly thus far, but Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee sparkled during the first 9 games.
The best thing I've seen so far this season is Travis Hafner hitting a pair of laser-shot homers. Hafner's up-and-down 2007 campaign still produced 26 homers and 100 RBIs, and I think he's looked better this year. Unless Cleveland finds help in left, the Indians are going to need Hafner to improve on his numbers.
Despite the disappointing West Coast swing, I've seen nothing that could doom the entire season. Some longtime Tribe fans can recall years when the season was already over by now. But I like the way Cleveland, behind Hafner's 2-out, 9th-inning homer, rallied to defeat the Angels, 4-3, on Tuesday.
As the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes observed today, a loss like Monday's, when Borowski surrendered a game-winning grand slam, would stick with some teams for a week or longer. The Tribe bounced right back the next day to win in the 9th. It means this club might have real spirit, which would be nice.
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The answer to yesterday's Quickie Quiz: Joe Borowski was traded by the White Sox to Baltimore in 1991 for Pete Rose Jr., who had played in Erie.
Today's quiz: Name the players Cleveland traded to Texas for Travis Hafner.
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-- Kevin Cuneo

