As we do each summer at WFNY when the Cleveland Indians hit the All-Star break, we take a look back at the four facets of the team on the field – the starting rotation, the bullpen, the infield, and the outfield. There’s been been a lot to talk about with this club. Their 44-41 record is good enough for second in the American League Central, but the team has shown some serious flaws. GM Chris Antonetti continues to tell us that the Indians have not played their best baseball yet. I hope he is right. Additions will need to be made and in-house improvements will be a must if the Tribe plans on playing October baseball.

Our first half first look will be with the guys who take the ball every fifth day – the starting pitchers.

The group as a whole has been maddeningly frustrating to watch. In some ways, the starters were a mirror image of the team they play for. At times, they look like the linchpin that will take the Tribe to a division title. Then a week later they are a group of five-and-fliers. On the good side, Manager Manny Acta has only had to use six starters and has essentially been able to roll with them. Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Derek Lowe haven’t missed a start as the top three. Jeanmar Gomez won the fifth spot out of Spring Training, but has since been replaced with Zach McAllister, who had a three start cameo with Josh Tomlin’s May DL stint. All five of the current members of the rotation have had their moments of agony and ecstasy. [Read more...]