Tribe might be in for long year

Tribe might be in for long year
By The Prez

When Bodog listed its odds for the first manager to be fired this season, the site had the Tigers’ Jim Leyland (2/1) and the Rangers’ Ron Washington (3/1) as the two leading candidates to get the pink slip first. Not on that list was Eric Wedge of the Indians. It’s time to add him.

Following Thursday’s 12-8 loss in Texas , the Tribe are 0-3 this season (first time since 1996) and were outscored 29-14 in the sweep by the Rangers (guess you can take Texas ’ Washington off that list now). While three games is far too early to panic, the Indians’ pitching was a question mark going into the season, and it was rocked this week in Arlington.

Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee was shelled for seven runs on 10 hits over five innings in dropping Monday’s season opener. By comparison, last year Lee didn't allow his seventh earned run until the season was more than 1 1/2 months old. On Monday, the left-hander allowed two fewer runs than he did in his first seven starts the entire 2008 campaign.

So what, you say? Well, he was terrible in spring training too, going 0-3 with an ERA of 12.46 in 21 1/3 innings. In fairness, Lee was hit in the left forearm by a batted ball in the second inning on Monday and then allowed four hits the following frame. But he said that getting hit had no affect on him.

Catcher Kelly Shoppach also told Cleveland reporters it was just coincidence that the Rangers scored seven runs off Lee after he was hit in the forearm. Later, however, he said, "Maybe it wasn't."

Lee also caused a bit of a stir when he seemed to blame first baseman Victor Martinez for Jarrod Saltalamacchia's second-inning, two-run single that got past a diving Martinez.

"If Vic lays out and is able to catch that ball," Lee said, "those runs don't score."

The pitcher later said his quote was taken out of context and apologized to Martinez.

Lee gets a chance to redeem himself Saturday against Toronto, but with the Blue Jays sending Roy Halladay to the mound oddsmakers will have a tough task of setting a money line in the contest. With the Blue Jays expected to be a small dog, Halladay offers solid value for investors looking for live dogs.

The Tribe’s 8-5 loss on Wednesday wasn’t any better, as No. 2 starter Fausto Carmona lasted only five innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. Not a good sign for a pitcher trying to shake a "one-year wonder label." Carmona was an All Star in 2007 but had a 5.44 ERA in an injury plagued 2008 season.

"It's all part of some early season growing pains we're going to go through," Wedge said.

Those growing pains continued Thursday in that 12-8 loss. Carl Pavano (remember him, Yankee fans?) followed the poor performances of Lee and Carmona with one that should be considered even worse. The one time National League All-Star allowed nine earned runs on six hits (two homers) in just a single inning of work.

That means the Tribe’s top three starters have allowed 22 runs in 11 innings in the first three games.

After hosting the Blue Jays for a three-game set this weekend, the Indians then go on the road for seven games, including the first series at the new Yankee Stadium. I wonder if Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis will be around to see that.