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Tribe hopes to solve its struggles at Progressive Field

Fri 9th, May 2008

(Sports Network) - Beginning tonight against Toronto, the Cleveland Indians will play each of their next seven games at home.

While that usually is a blessing for any team, the Indians are just 8-11 at Progressive Field. Last weekend, they were swept in a two-game home set against the lowly Royals, totaling just two runs in the process.

History suggests the Tribe will, at some point, rebound at home. After all, their 52 home wins last year were the second-most in the majors, trailing only the Angels. Then again, that was when the park was still called 'Jacobs Field.'

Regardless whether you believe in omens, the Indians enter this particular homestand with several factors working in their favor, not the least of which is their near sweep of the Yankees in the Bronx. Of course, their first sweep at Yankee Stadium since 1989 could have happened had starter Paul Byrd not been tagged for three home runs.

On top of that, all of Cleveland's horses will be on the mound for this weekend's four-game set against the Blue Jays, who are in last place in the American League East (albeit with virtually the same record as the Tribe). And the Indians, despite their sub-.500 record, are within 1 1/2 games of the division lead.

So, yes, there is quite an upside for the coming homestand. Should Cleveland resort back to dominating at Progressive Field, the AL Central could have a whole new look this time next week.

But first thing's first; the Indians, having just returned to Cleveland, now must face Toronto's Roy Halladay, who came just shy of posting a fifth straight complete game his last time out.

That's never good news, especially considering Cleveland's offense ranks second to last in the AL. Apart from catcher Victor Martinez (.337), no other Indians regular is sporting a batting average above .265.

MICHAELS TRADED

Two days after designating Jason Michaels for assignment, the team on Thursday traded the struggling outfielder to the Pirates for a Minor Leaguer to be named later.

The Indians will most likely have to eat a healthy portion of the $2.15 million remaining on Michaels' contract, which was inked prior to the '07 season.

A platoon player out in left field who primarily saw action against lefties, Michaels was hitting just .207.

BOROWSKI UPDATE

Closer Joe Borowski is apparently making progress from the strained triceps muscle that landed him on the DL. Borowski, who had been sidelined since mid- April, tossed his first bullpen session Thursday in Yankee Stadium without any setbacks.

Manager Eric Wedge was hopeful the bullpen session is a big step forward for his closer, who was struggling with an 0-2 record and a 18.00 ERA in five games before being shut down.

"A huge difference," Borowski told the team's Web site of how his arm felt. "I could see my arm speed, compared with the way it was before, was decidedly better."

If all goes well with his rehab track, Borowski could rejoin the team in a couple of weeks.

WHO'S HOT

How about left-hander Cliff Lee off to a perfect 6-0 record through six starts. He calmly blanked the Yankees on Tuesday, lowering his ERA to a Major League- best 0.81.

WHO'S NOT

Fausto Carmona's sinker is not doing what it's supposed to be doing, which is, of course, sinking. Consequently, that has aided in him issuing 31 walks over 39 2/3 innings. Walks were never a problem for the youngster in his breakout season last year.

Wedge suggested to the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Carmona is overthrowing.

"It's a concern," he said. "He makes it more difficult on himself with the walks."

Also, designated hitter Travis Hafner, thanks to his .209 batting average, has more or less been a healthy scratch in three of the last seven games. He has just 10 hits in his last 65 at-bats, with just three homers on the season.

A LOOK AHEAD

For the Toronto series, the Indians will send out C.C. Sabathia (1-5, 7.51), Aaron Laffey (0-2, 2.84), Carmona (3-1, 2.95) and Lee (6-0, 0.81), in that order. The Blue Jays will counter with Halladay (3-4, 3.00), Dustin McGowan (2-2, 2.95), A.J. Burnett (3-3, 5.19) and Shaun Marcum (4-2, 2.59). The Tribe continues its homestand against the A's on Tuesday.

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