OK, this is going to sound nuts.
As bad as things have gone for the Indians thus far, and as their 11-19 record and last-place standing in the Central Division through Friday confirms, they`ve gone pretty bad - this season is not over.
Told you it was going to sound nuts.
While, admittedly, the Indians` season is nearing the point of extinction - a double-digit deficit by the All-Star break probably signals as much - it is not beyond rescue.
First off, there`re 4½ months left in the regular season. Few of the teams leading their respective divisions will be the ones atop the standings in October - for instance, the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers are in first place in the Central, East and West.
Who`s to say the Indians, with proven run producers such as Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, Mark DeRosa and Travis Hafner, a defending Cy Young Award winner in Cliff Lee, a former 19-game winner in Fausto Carmona and an All-Star closer in Kerry Wood, can`t get hot and rip off a lengthy winning streak? There`s plenty of time to do it, and the Indians are in the right division to get it done.
Parity reigns in the Central, which means that it`s likely no team is going to be running away from the crowd, as evidenced by the standings through Friday. They showed Detroit trailing KC by 2½ games, with Minnesota and Chicago 4½ games back and the Indians holding up the bottom 7 out - everybody bunched up together, where many expect them to stay.
The Royals are an improved club, no doubt, and the Twins, White Sox and Tigers all have something to offer. But none of them are decidedly better than the Indians, if at all … at least on paper. Playing most of their games against these teams gives the Indians the opportunity to change the standings on a daily basis, and the chance to alter their fate in quick fashion.
“If we have one good week, we`re right back in the middle of everything,” said Indians manager Eric Wedge.
This is true. Obviously things have to start improving on a regular basis for a team that has seen quality performances in certain areas and at certain times, but has yet to put everything together with any semblance of consistency. The Indians have won consecutive games just once this year. How`s that for inconsistency?
After struggling out of the gates, the rotation, thought to be the club`s biggest weakness entering the year, has turned things around, with Lee and, somehow, Carl Pavano leading the way.
And how has the bullpen - thought to be the strength of the team - repaid the starters? By offering up a miserable effort - especially the host of setup men responsible for getting the ball to Wood - that has all but wasted the rotation`s reversal of fortune.
It`s not a stretch to say that the Indians could be 19-11 and atop the division standings with even an adequate performance from their bullpen, which ranked second-to-last in the American League through Friday.
Guys like Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez and Masa Kobayashi (probably a lost cause) have to turn things around or the Indians have to find someone outside the organization who can pitch effectively late in games or it`s not going to matter what they get from other areas of the club.
That includes the offense, which can score runs (22 in a single game against New York at Yankee Stadium in April), but hasn`t done it nearly enough.
It`s going to take contributions from more than Martinez and Asdrubal Cabrera to produce a consistent offensive attack. The main catalyst, Sizemore, isn`t getting on base enough (.226 batting average through Friday), DeRosa has scuffled to start the year, as has Peralta (currently on the bench), and Hafner is on the disabled list with more shoulder problems.
There are holes all through Cleveland`s lineup right now, which is obviously not helping matters.
But again, all is not lost. The season can be saved. It`s going to take some turn around from plenty of players on the roster, which, judging from recent history, is not only possible but probable.
Come October, a year that appeared earmarked for disappointment could be cause for celebration.
Of course, if things continue on their current path, it`s probably time to start planning for next season - a familiar approach for Indians followers and Cleveland sports fans in general.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.