Tribe-ulations

Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge says he doesn't want to give up on the season yet. Most Tribe fans have trouble understanding this theory. The Indians are going to need a 2007 Colorado Rockies-type run over the next four weeks to get back to being a legitimate contender.

I know Wedge has toyed with the lineup a BUNCH this season, but I haven't seen Grady Sizemore out of the lead-off spot enough. Why not give him some more RBI chances with the likes of Shin Soo Choo or Jamey Carroll leading off (both have marginally better on-base percentages)??

In addition, if Sizemore reaches the base paths in front of the #4 or #5 hitters (whomever they may be on a given night), wouldn't the threat of a stolen base make the opposing pitcher at least consider throwing more fastballs than off-speed pitches in case Sizemore is planning on taking second base??

It's easy to understand why Sizemore is still in the lead-off spot -- he doesn't seem to be the problem. And it's hard to argue with the numbers: .261 average, .366 OBP, team-leading 19 HR, team-leading 19 stolen bases. So Sizemore is having himself a decent year. But the team isn't.

In a June issue of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Wedge said, ''Grady likes it up there, and he's one of the best in the game...I don't see why you would want to take one of your greatest areas of strength away?" The reason why is because there's the possibility that Sizemore will be BETTER as a #3 hitter than as a lead-off man. Even more, there's the possibility that Cleveland will be a BETTER hitting team with Sizemore in the three hole.

In the American League, a .500 winning percentage probably won't get you close to winning a wild card spot. In other words, an exact reversal of the first half of the year won't be enough to keep the Indians in it. And if Eric Wedge truly believes there's hope left for this season, he might want to consider a MAJOR change because small lineup changes obviously aren't helping Cleveland score runs.

Swing and a Drive...