Wells for Heisman campaign underway
April 4, 2008What’s Wrong With C.C.?
April 6, 2008A’s hitters had little trouble picking up Byrd’s pitches, but not quite like this
The Indians made few changes to this year’s roster. There is a saying, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got.” The strengths of this team remain, but after the first week of the season, the weaknesses are glaring.
The left field platoon of Jason Michaels and David Dellucci remain hitless. Yes, as in 0 hits between them. Casey Blake hit that three run double in the first game to help give the Tribe the game, since then- 1 hit. Travis Hafner hit a home run in the ninth inning last night, but hasn’t looked real strong at the plate either. Last year this offense was very streaky, and it looks like we are in for more of the same.
Paul Byrd has not looked good at all, not in spring training or last night. He was up in the strike zone, not an endearing quality for a guy who is topping out at about 88 mph. He was able to avoid the huge inning for the most part, and could have had a little more help defensively. Asdrubal Cabrera made a critical mistake in Oakland’s 4 run fourth inning when he threw home on a grounder with the bases loaded. He had zero chance to get the runner, and it didn’t even look like Kelly Shoppach was setting up to take a throw, meaning the play was meant to go somewhere else, like first base. Shoppach didn’t have a particularly strong night behind the plate, allowing a runner to score on a passed ball.
Overall it wasn’t a great outing for the Tribe, but perhaps the long trip out west can be partly blamed. Here’s hoping they come out stronger and sharper today. Expect to see Victor Martinez behind the plate. Not just because Shoppach had a bad night, but because Victor was able to catch a bullpen session yesterday and might have started except Byrd was on the mound.