Congratulations to the…the…I’m just going to say it for old time’s sake…The Jake!  Speaking of that, Matt Underwood had a slip in last night’s game and said “They’re looking for some of that Jacob’s Field magic from last season.”  Beautiful.

This offense, however, does make me want to punch myself in the face.  Despite Grady Sizemore’s solid game (2-4, 2 runs, 2 doubles), the Indians could muster little else offensively.  At this point, the struggles of Travis Hafner are beginning to be too much to bear, and it is an equal shame that beyond Victor Martinez, the next highest batting average in the lineup belongs to David Dellucci.  The only way this thing could ever get better is through a major shake-up, and that starts with taking Hafner out of the third spot in the batting order.  Put less pressure on him by dropping him in the order and if that doesn’t work, then something more drastic can take place.

This thought has prevailed for a few years now, but my vote for the new number-three hitter would still be Sizemore.  There is little power or patience in this lineup, and Sizemore is arguably the Indians’ best hitter.  With things going the way they are, his services are almost being wasted at the top of the lineup.  Dropping him down will give him better opportunities with Martinez batting cleanup.  It’s something to consider, because as the calendar turns to May, the space for mistakes and offensive futility begins to become very, very tight.

He is tied for the team lead in doubles (4), and is first in total bases (29), on-base percentage (.423), slugging percentage (.459) and walks (12).  He is also second in home runs (2) and RBIs (11).  Granted, it is still early in the season and Garko has only had 64 at-bats in 19 games, but it is encouraging to see at least one player put in a consistent effort every single day.  Like I said before, the statistic that stands out the most is the increase in walks.  Garko did not draw many in 2007, and the Indians could use baserunners in the worst way right now.  More importantly, it shows that Garko is maturing at the plate, becoming more selective, and is far more willing to take pitches.

• The Indians begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.  C.C. Sabathia, the current bane of every Cleveland fan’s existence, will take the hill on Tuesday night against Gil Meche (1-2, 6.08 ERA).  The Tribe then closes out April and opens May with a 1o-game homestand featuring the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Royals.  This is a tough stretch (believe it or not, the Royals are not pushovers) that is going to force this team to wake up and get its act together.
• Fausto Carmona has given up 18 walks and only struck out 10 batters in 23 innings of work.  Sabathia is 0-3, has a 13.50 ERA, and has struck out as many batters as he has walked (14).  But the most baffling thing of all is this: Cliff Lee is 3-0 with a league-leading 0.40 ERA, and that’s not even mentioning his 20 strikeouts and two walks.

This is supposed to be the reigning Cy Young winner and free agent-to-be.  Supposedly, the problem is the big lefty’s lack of command of his cut fastball and changeup, especially on the inside part of the plate against right handers.  Sabathia says he feels healthy, and would not admit that his impending free agency poses any sort of a distraction.  To be honest, I would attribute his struggles to simply trying too hard to live up to his elevated status.  Either way, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact issue with Sabathia, but once a player becomes mentally unsure of himself, it can take a long time to get out of such a rut.

Both Sabathia and the Indians have to kick it into gear, because they are realizing once again that a previous season’s success means nothing in the new year (think back to 2005, when the Tribe won 93 games; then think about their forgettable 2006).  For a sense of reality, Cleveland now finds itself at the bottom of the AL Central standings at 5-10, tied with the Tigers.  Like I said, it’s only April 17th, but the warning signs for a long summer are there.  Ask me again about that panic button in about a month.

Rafael Betancourt, the closer the public has been clamoring for, now gets his chance; hopefully he can be just as effective in this role.  I don’t wish any harm on Borowski, but it is fair to say he is one of the worst, if not the worst, closer in the game.  If the Tribe wants any shot at a World Series title in this season, they are going to have to fix this currently glaring weakness.

Anyway, the Indians have the right pitcher going up in the first game.  Besides Cliff Lee, who had another very impressive start in Sunday’s 7-1 win, Jake Westbrook has been the most consistent starter from Day One (and before that if you consider his scoreless Spring Training).  He brings his 2.76 ERA to chilly Progressive Field, and with the command he has shown in the early goings, it could be a long night for Red Sox hitters.

No matter what the team is saying, it would be satisfying to beat Boston.  Not that it would reverse the ill effects of last season’s blown 3-1 ALCS lead, but it would be a step towards some minute level of redemption.  More importantly, it would mean a chance to move closer to .500.  With the Detroit Tigers back to being epic fails, the Indians have a chance to really put some distance between them and the rest of the division.  Yes, Chicago has had a good start, but I don’t believe they have enough staying power, and the lack of Johan Santana leaves every other AL Central rival just a step behind.

• I didn’t get a chance to talk about this earlier, but come on, Fausto: eight walks in 3 1/3?  Signing a new contract does not automatically ensure lights-out stuff.  And, as much as I hate to say it, watching C.C. Sabathia struggle makes it easier to think he could be back next season for a little less than imagined.  Still pretty doubtful; after all, it’s only April 14th.  One has to think, though: when will Sabathia ever be able to pitch when the pressure is on?  Is he really going to struggle with the thought of an impending contract situation?
• Sign of left field life:  David Dellucci is actually playing…well.  He drove in two runs on Sunday and is currently hitting .273.  And that .467 OBP is pretty to look at.

The first four years of the deal are guaranteed with the team holding options for the 2012, ‘13, and ‘14 seasons.  With all the escalators added, the potential earnings for Carmona could reach $48 million.  With the contract status of C.C. Sabathia still up in the air, it was a smart move to secure Carmona for so long; a World Series championship and maybe a Cy Young or two would make this nearly a steal.

Will this signing have any sort of effect on Sabathia’s decision to stay after this season?  Probably not, because there is no way the Indians will be able to match some of the biggest offers out there.  If C.C. is truly after the money, he will be gone, unwilling to take the mythical “hometown discount” that so few players actually adhere to.  However, it has to be in the back of his mind that with Carmona in the rotation, the Indians will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.  And with the added depth of the rotation, there are few teams built to win for so long.

But for some reason, few players consider these little tidbits of common sense.  Either way, the Indians will have a legitimate ace for a long time.

Granted, it has only been two games for Paul Byrd.  But one should think that the leash should be short with Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers waiting in Buffalo.  What is encouraging, however, is the possibility that Cliff Lee has returned to his old form.  And yet, he’s only pitched in one game.  It’s just too early to tell; let’s give it a few more starts before the clamoring really begins.  The same goes for the “platoon” of Jason Michaels/David Dellucci.  Dellucci did manage to go 2-4 on the afternoon, but seeing those two in the lineup at the same time makes my skin crawl.  One can hear the unrest beginning to swell with Ben Francisco also wasting away in Buffalo.

• Not a good sign: The Indians are currently tied with the Cincinnati Reds for most home runs allowed with 14.

The Indians were able to recover from Borowski’s early mistakes last season, but nothing is ever a sure thing in this great, albeit sometimes emotionally devastating, game.  The 2008 season is all ready shaping up to be eerily similar to 2007; in that regard, let’s hope the Tribe can find a groove and get back on track to 96 or so wins.

I was ready to write something about the vaunted return of Victor Martinez - he went 2-4 with a double that tied the game in the top of the ninth.  I could have mentioned the gutsy performance of Fausto Carmona - holding the Angels to one unearned run despite giving up five walks in six innings.  These are the kinds of games that are hard to forget, especially when the division races start heating up.  The Tigers aren’t going winless forever (although that would make me smile for eternity), and any game that could separate the Tribe from the Motown Kitties is a blessing at this point.

“I told you so, idiot,” my mind said as I looked up the box score early this morning.

At least there was some valid excuse for the Indians’ lack of offense on this day, as they were up against Joe Blanton.  With the team striking out at an alarming rate and swinging at nearly every first pitch, it will be a major relief to see Victor Martinez hopefully back in the lineup, offering some sense of stability.  However, the overly eager mentality was a problem last year as well and it contributed to a few painful stretches where a run was coveted like a drop of water in the desert.  As usual, it makes the pitching that much more important.  Lee has less pressure on him as the fifth starter, and Sunday’s game had to be a huge confidence boost.

• Sign that the world could be ending very shortly: Both David Dellucci and Jason Michaels were in the lineup on Sunday…at the same time…hitting back-to-back.