What a year it has been for your Cleveland Indians. Going into the season, the biggest question marks were about the bullpen. Low and behold, the pen is now the backbone of the team. We didn't know if Bob Wickman could hold up. Fast forward to July. Wickman's the lone all star! Last year, the hitters carried the team. This year they're anemic, hitting just .260 and averaging less than 4.5 runs a game. Compare that to last year's 5.3 runs a game and a .276 team batting average. Here's a key difference; on base percentages. Last year it was .351 but so far in 2005 the OBP is a mere .323. Last year's table setters Matt Lawton and Omar Vizquel are long gone. So how'd we get here? Well, if you're true fans, you've been down to the Jake a few times and have kept it locked to FSN for every pitch.

Let's look at the guys who have been getting it done.

Grady Sizemore. He was not expected to make the team out of spring training, but has made the most of his oportunity. He's been setting the table ever since moving into the leadoff spot, leads the team in hits and batting a respectable .282.
Coco Crisp. This guy is for real. Coco has just kept on hitting and getting on base. He's hitting .294 with a .343 OBP. He's always hustling and genuinely looks like he's having a good time out there.
Travis Hafner. No explanation needed.
Jhonny Peralta. Omar who? JP got off to a slow start, but has been coming up big ever since. When the game gets to the later innings, Jhonny comes through hitting .341.

Who are the biggest rally killers?

Casey Blake. Hitting .176 w/ RISP.
Aaron Boone. Has struggled to get above the mendoza line. Don't look now, Boone's hitting .324 since the break.
Ben Broussard. Paltry OPS for his position. His .736 Ranks 16th among AL first basemen.

Pitching Prowess.

The team ERA (3.75) ranks 6th in all of baseball. The bullpen is tops in the majors with a 2.74 ERA and is 28/37 in save opportunities. The starting rotation has remained intact for the most part.

Take Five

Kevin Millwood-- (3-9) 3.34 era QS 9/17
C.C. Sabathia-- (6-7) 4.70 era QS 7/18
Jake Westbrook-- (7-12) 4.51 era QS 13/21
Cliff Lee-- (11-4) 3.87 era QS 9/20
Scott Elarton-- (6-5) 4.66 era QS 9/18

QS=quality start (6+ innings)