Storm Clouds are Gathering

With the 6th loss in a row, getting swept by the Royals and Tigers (at home) it brings new meaning to the phrase – when it rains, it pours…literally. Time to get out of town.

Heading off to Chicago for a business convention all week, so I’ll throw a couple of things out there to watch this week, when the Indians will face the Royals, then the Pirates at home.

The promotion of Carmona was a bit of a surprise, after Shapiro went on record saying that Fausto would stay in the Buffalo rotation last Thursday. What is he, throwing up smokescreens before the NFL Draft, like his buddy Scott Pioli? We don’t need the cloak and dagger stuff, Mark, just make your moves.

With the promotion of Carmona, the bullpen looks to shake out this way until Rocky Betancourt returns:
Long Man: Carmona
Matchup Lefty: Sauerbeck
5th/6th: Guthrie/Mota
7th/8th: Cabrera/Davis
9th: Wickman

When Rocky returns, either Guthrie will go down to Buffalo to further his education on how to pitch out of the bullpen, or Mota will be placed on the DL (something just doesn’t look quite right with his delivery in his past few outings). Betancourt would assume the 8th inning role and push Cabrera and Davis into the 7th.

Does C.C.’s delivery since coming off of the DL seem more free and easy? It doesn’t even look like he’s throwing hard, but he’s touching 94 and 95 on the gun. If this is the solution to him not straining any more stomach muscles, I’m all for it. He’s delivering more nasty sliders than White Castle these days.

Watch Westbrook on Tuesday to see if he makes it through the Royals’ lineup easily the first (and maybe second) time, then struggles his third time through the lineup. It happened today with Johnson. He cruised until the 7th, his third time through the lineup, despite a relatively low pitch count.
If he does, ask yourself: Is Westbrook best suited to continue to pitch out of the rotation, or does his stuff translate better to pitching 1 or 2 innings out of the bullpen? What about Johnson?

Why am I picking on Westbrook and Johnson, but not Byrd?
Let’s look at those pitchers last 3 starts:
Byrd: 2-1, 3.78 ERA, 7 K, 4 BB
Westbrook: 1-0, 6.62 ERA, 14 K, 6 BB
Johnson: 0-1, 10.38 ERA, 7 K, 5 BB
Byrd is showing signs of coming around to his career numbers, while Westbrook and Johnson seem to struggle during every start. Some of that could be attributed to them both being a groundball pitchers, with the Tribe’s infield struggling defensively; but every ball seems to be sharply hit against both sinkerballers.

Could Carmona’s promotion be an indication that he’s in Cleveland to take a spot in the rotation from one of those two pitchers?
Or could Jeremy Sowers, who is dominating in Buffalo, be just a phone call away?
Remember that Sowers is not on the 40-man roster, but (with Graves being DFA’d) there is an open spot on the 40-man.
Could Shapiro be clearing space for the lanky lefty from Vandy?

Whatever the solution is, expect the Indians to try numerous internal options before looking for help from another team. Not many teams are looking to throw up the white flag less than a quarter of the way through the season.

A few of those Royals’ relievers might look good in Cleveland…or maybe it was just the Tribe’s offense that made them look so good.

And, a little Lazy Sunday:
Sheldon Ocker weighs in on the Tribe’s troubles.

Paul Hoynes touches on some possible arms that may make an appearance in an effort to solidify the bullpen. Edward Mujica, in particular, would be one name mentioned to keep an eye on going forward.

Cross Steve Karsay off that list of potential replacements as he was traded to the A’s for cash.

Finally - "I'm both disappointed and concerned." - GM Mark Shapiro on the state of the Indians' pitching, particularly the bullpen.

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