Tribe Observations

This season has shown a huge surprise with Cliff Lee.  When nobody else was standing out in the starting rotation, he took up the mantle by winning games on a consistent basis.  Making 31 starts this year, he had a 22-3 record, the best in the majors.  I do not think it will be possible to pull it off twice but it would be nice.  What the Indians need would be for Lee to be just as tough to beat if not tougher than he was this season.  If they had an MVP award for each team to pick their own, no question that it would go to him.

I know I said that had it not been for Lee doing as well as he did, the Indians would have looked a lot worse and it is true.  Do you really want to know how they would have looked without him because I sure wouldn’t?  This could be a sign that he could become an ace.  Let us hope for the Tribe’s sake not to throw him away if he does well.  I really hate that and it feels more like a punishment.

Anyway, Cliff Lee I think has a good chance to really prove himself to be just that as he is going to be the official ace for the 2009 season.  The big if is going to be about coming through just like he did in 2008.  I’m not expecting another 22-3 season but something along the lines of winning 15-20 would be good.  As far as ERA, something like in the 3.00 range and lower.

He has the tools to do it.  All that is left is to go out and show it via results.  I can’t say for sure.  I just have a feeling he can do it and I think he has a chance.  He’s got the ball to be the Ace, now he has to run with it and not fumble.

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