Manager Manny Acta's hustling team is making things tough on opponents who look far superior on paper -- and in the standings.
Indians manager Manny Acta has his young team playing respectable baseball.Cleveland -- How about those Cleveland Indians?
Their roster features journeyman veterans finally getting extended opportunities and youngsters striving to become established big leaguers.
They've played their last 27 games against winning teams. They've won 14 of them.
The Indians throttled the Red Sox in Boston, 9-1, on Wednesday night. Tonight, the Tribe tries to play spoiler again, when they finish their four-game series with the BoSox. Indians rookie right-hander Josh Tomlin (1-0, 1.46), who has been impressive in his first two big league starts, and Boston righty Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3, 4.09) will take the mound. Cleveland has won two of the first three games.
Tonight's game is previewed on cleveland.indians.mlb.com.
Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes covered the Indians' win on Wednesday night, which featured Justin Masterson's pitching and Andy Marte's three-run home run. Also, check Hoynes' Indians Insider and Indians Chatter, and his report on Indians third base coach Steve Smith drawing a suspension, and pitcher Jensen Lewis getting fined for their parts in a scuffle with the Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Asdrubal Cabrera leading
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is just 24, but a four-year veteran and maybe growing into a leadership role. Sheldon Ocker writes for the Akron Beacon Journal, referring to Indians manager Manny Acta:
But Cabrera wasn't singled out by the manager by process of elimination.
''He brings a lot to the table,'' Acta said. ''He's a very nice team player. He will bunt on his own and get things started for us. He's been in the playoffs, and I expect him to take a bigger role.''
In other words, a major part of leadership in the clubhouse is the ability to perform on the field. Backup players aren't likely to become leaders.
Juggling Acta
Combine the young roster with injuries, trades and other player transactions, and it's quite a puzzle that Indians manager Manny Acta has had to work with.
Jim Ingraham writes about Acta's juggling for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:
The Indians' lineup is a work in progress. They have used 98 different lineups in 108 games. Wednesday night's version had an interesting look in that the designated hitter was only hitting .215 and only one of the nine players had more than seven home runs.
"It's going to be tough for us to have a consistent lineup, especially since we're still trying to find out about guys at second base and third base," said Manager Manny Acta.
Masterson vs. Lester
The Indians acquired Wednesday night's winning pitcher, Justin Masterson, from the Red Sox last July 31 as part of the package for catcher-first baseman Victor Martinez.
Boston thought highly of Masterson, so much so that he pitched in nine of the Red Sox' 11 postseason games in 2008. Pitching in relief, Masterson was 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.
Masterson is still trying to establish consistency as a starter, but has shown promise with several superb outings.
Meanwhile, Boston ace left-hander Jon Lester took the loss to the Indians. Lester had a 53-19 career record before losing his last four starts.
Peter Abraham writes in his game story for the Boston Globe:
Masterson has beaten the Red Sox twice this season, allowing one run in 14 innings. He is 2-10 with a 5.98 ERA otherwise. He lasted only five innings last night, but that was plenty given how Lester was struggling.
“Jon never got in a rhythm,’’ catcher Kevin Cash said. “You never expect it because he’s so good. But everybody is going to go through tough times.’’
Westbrook works it out
Among Jayson Stark's "Rumblings & Grumblings" for ESPN.com is commentary on the three-way trade in which the Indians sent veteran pitcher Jake Westbrook to the St. Louis Cardinals and acquired pitching prospect Corey Kluber:
But that trade still could have broken down as late as Saturday, if Westbrook hadn't agreed to pass on his $2 million relocation bonus -- because if the money hadn't worked, the Indians would have backed out of the deal.
However, Westbrook then agreed to go. The union signed off on the restructured contract. And the most fascinating trade before the deadline was, finally, a done deal.
Elsewhere
Game story on the Indians' 9-1 win over the Red Sox by Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Jim Ingraham's game story for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.