The Tribe has power and potential, but it's the pitching that will tell the story of the season.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself about the Tribe as April comes to an end ...
What kind of team are the Indians this season?
I asked Terry Francona that question before Tuesday's game, and the manager replied that the team was 10-13.
That's the best you can do?
That's sort of what I said to Francona, who added, "When we pitch well, we're a crisp ... but that's true of every team."
Weren't these guys supposed to hit?
They are a team that can make you think they may never score another run ... they have been shut out three times. In 10 of 23 games, they have scored two or fewer runs.
So they haven't hit.
But they have seven games (including Tuesday) where they have scored at least eight runs. They rank fourth in homers in the American League. They are eighth in runs scored. Remember the Tribe was near the bottom in homers, runs scored and many other categories last season.
So you think the hitting is better?
It's streaky and incredibly unpredictable, but it's also better. They can drive you nuts. One night, their bats swing and miss and turn into one long lullaby, putting fans to sleep. Two days later, they thunder. They have already had a 5-RBI game from Mike Aviles, a 4-RBI game from Ryan Raburn -- and neither start. Three times, Mark Reynolds has driven in at least four runs in a game. At certain times, certain guys just erupt with power.
How are they against left-handed pitchers?
A year ago, the Tribe was almost helpless (18-35 vs. lefty starters). This year, they are 5-6. They had only 37 homers from batters (including switch-hitters) from the right side. This year, they have 23 in April. They are on pace to hit 200 homers for the first time since 2005.
Aren't you the guy who didn't like the signing of Reynolds?
Well, you know, kind of like I didn't do my homework and I sort of got stuck on the strikeouts ... I know he has eight homers and 22 RBI already ...
Can you say you were wrong?
I was wrong. Reynolds was injured in the first half of last season, then hit 16 of his 23 homers after the All-Star break. He hammered nine in September during Baltimore's playoff drive. The previous three years, he totaled 113 homers.
What about all the strikeouts?
As Francona also said, the team has "the ability to strike out." But they also have the ability to hit the ball out of the park, which does make them more fun to watch.
How about Carlos Santana?
In the first inning Tuesday, he hit his fifth homer. He's hitting .307 with 18 homers and 58 RBI in 94 games since the 2012 All-Star break. He has really grown as a hitter.
So why do they have so many games where they just don't score?
It does hurt that leadoff man Michael Bourn injured his right index finger and has played only 10 games (Tribe is 5-5). The rainouts and bad weather haven't helped. But this team is hot and cold with the bat because of so many free swingers. Jason Kipnis, Asdrubal Cabrera and Lonnie Chisenhall have slumped in most of April; only recently have Kipnis and Cabrera begun to hit. Nick Swisher (.265, 2 HR, 9 RBI) is off to a so-so start.
So you think the hitting will pick up?
Reynolds and some others will cool off, but yes ... they can improve at the plate.
Didn't Francona first mention pitching?
Fans know all about it. The bullpen alternates between good to great. It's deep and has lefties and righties. The highest batting average against a reliever is .240 vs. Matt Albers. That should remain consistent all year.
Unlike the starters, right?
Their ERA is 5.35. In some ways, they resemble the offense. Ubaldo Jimenez threw seven scoreless innings in Monday's 9-0 victory and averaged 93 mph -- often hitting 95. In his three losses, he has been clubbed for 18 runs in 11 innings. Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.52) and Zach McAllister (2-3, 3.30 after Tuesday) have been solid. The Tribe has been trying to assemble a rotation from Scott Kazmir, Brett Myers (on the disabled list), Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer (at least one more start) and Jimenez.
So what's the bottom line on this team?
General Manager Chris Antonetti used the Dolans' cash to upgrade the power and balance the lineup. Francona has done a good job with the bullpen and working veterans such as Raburn and Aviles into the lineup. The starters ... if they can simply be average (and that requires a huge jump), this can be a very intriguing summer.