The Indians will need a guardian angel to get back in the American League Central race in the second half. The Cincinnati Reds, who came out of the All-Star break in first place in the National League Central, are in a much better position to reach the postseason.
View full sizeFormer Indian Brandon Phillips (4), now an All-Star second baseman with the Reds, believes Cincinnati is good enough to win its division this season.CLEVELAND, Ohio — Manny Acta told the Indians to live the impossible dream at Thursday's workout at Progressive Field to the start the second half of the season. They were 34-54 and trailed the first-place Chicago White Sox by 15 1/2 games in the American League Central.
Acta was doing his job, trying to reinvigorate the youngest 25-man roster in the big leagues for the final 74 games.
A five-hour drive due south, Dusty Baker didn't have to put the wind back in anyone's sails. The Cincinnati Reds came out of the break in first place in the National League Central with a one-game lead over St. Louis.
The Reds don't need a miracle, they just need to keep winning.
"We're good enough to win the whole division," said second baseman Brandon Phillips, one of four Reds at the All-Star Game. "Our pitching staff is getting Edinson [Volquez] back. [Aroldis] Chapman is coming.
"We're going to be that good. The only team that can beat us is ourselves."
The Reds went into Saturday's game against Colorado in first place because of a dangerous offense and a pitching staff that has not only been better than expected, but deeper.
They led the National League in runs, batting average, total bases and OPS at the break. They ranked second in homers.
Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes had 60 RBI each at the break. Scott Rolen (57), Drew Stubbs (43), Jay Bruce (36), Orlando Cabrera (31) and Phillips (30) followed.
Phillips, who spent most of the first half hitting first or second after hitting in the middle of the lineup last season, led the team with 66 runs. Votto had 59; Bruce, 50; Stubbs, 47; Rolen, 43; and Cabrera, 41.
"When spring training hit, I ended up hitting first and second," Phillips said. "My whole routine was changed.
"Now I feel I'm a Jimmy Rollins and a Jose Reyes to the Cincinnati Reds. My job is to get things started. Get things moving. It's a beautiful thing."
The Reds have a nice blend of veterans and youth. Toronto traded Rolen, 35, to Cincinnati in July 2009. The third baseman started the second half hitting .290 with 17 homers.
Rolen had an immediate influence on Phillips. That is to say on Phillips' home run trot.
"He said, 'Hey, BP, if I get hit for you pimping a home run, trust me, you and me are going to have a talk,' " Phillips said. "I said, 'That's all I need to know.' That's a lot of material over there [Rolen is 6-4 and 250 pounds]. I want to stay on his good side."
The Reds signed Cabrera, 35, as a free agent in February to play shortstop. He's hitting .245 with three homers and 10 steals.
"He's the kind of guy who is loud and calls guys out," said Votto, selected to the All-Star Game thanks to the fans' Internet votes. "He really blows people up, but in the right context. I've never had that before.
"That to me is invaluable. It breaks up the tension . . . brings the team together. We play better baseball that way."
Volquez rejoined the rotation over the weekend and started Saturday night. He's been out since last August because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. During that time, he served a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
Volquez, Bronson Arroyo (10-4), Johnny Cueto (8-2) and Aaron Harang (6-7) are the experienced part of the rotation. Harang is sidelined with back spasms.
Rookie Mike Leake, without the benefit of an inning in the minors, went 6-1 with a 3.53 ERA in the first half. Travis Wood, another rookie, retired 24 straight Phillies in his third big-league start.
Former No. l pick Homer Bailey is on the disabled list, and Cuban defector Chapman is at Class AAA Louisville, getting ready to help in the second half.
Closer Francisco Cordero had 24 saves in 30 chances in the first half. The Reds' 26 saves ranked second in the NL, but they're looking for relief help and Indians closer Kerry Wood has been mentioned.
"We're doing the small things, and that's why we're winning," Phillips said.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158