Or the reason they struggled is maybe because they actually aren't very good. Who knows now a days, you know? Doctor Poove?: You give them too much credit Worst interleague record in MLB 6-12. The Tribe normally thrives versus the NL, but not so in 2008. Why? They aren't a very good team, duh, but they just couldn't get any one phase going.
They had some bad outings from starters (Byrd, Sowers and even Laffey), which has not been the norm. So the bullpen was used earlier and more often, as is does in the NL parks, so the inconsistencies of the pen were more evident. Plus, runs are at more of a premium in the NL, and we all know the Tribe's problems there, so the NL teams and their "small ball" decreased the already microscopic margin of error for the Tribe. Michael Taylor: The Indians are typically very good in interleague play, but as we have seen, this is no typical season. I think a lot of it has to do with how the season progressed.
They were treading water and staying in the race before interleague began, but once guys started going down with injuries, and the team started losing, everything snowballed. It just happened to have come against the National League teams. Plus, when we're not able to score, thus putting pressure on a below-average bullpen, that hurts Especially in low scoring, close games as they have played. I just think that it has shown the Indians for what they are this season, a bad team. Player Debate of the Week: Jeremy SowersSowers is a former first-round selection that the Indians that flew through the minor-league system within two years, and had great success in 2006. Since then, he has struggled in most major-league starts and has an ERA of 5.97 in six starts this season, entering Monday night.
Do you still see him as a pitcher who can succeed? If not, what would you do with Sowers? Samantha Bunten: I'm not totally prepared to give up on Sowers I just don't think he's ready. The fact that he catapulted through the system so quickly could be part of the problem. I really think players who are rushed, especially pitchers, suffer tremendously in the majors if they aren't prepared to be there. Sowers may be one of those guys whose talent looked major-league ready, but who wasn't mentally prepared to handle the pressure yet. Nino Colla: Nope, which sucks because Sowers is the type of pitcher I like He is a smart kid who has a game plan for the most part Yet, for whatever reason, he just isn't very good. The league has the book on the kid and he has not adjusted, which is surprising for a guy like Sowers.
This team has pitching-depth problems, with two free agents and an injured starter, so you can't exactly ship him off. I think a trade in the offseason needs to be explored though, especially if we get some near MLB-ready pitching for C.C. Doctor Poove?: Yes, there is still hope for Professor Sowers. He is still young, he barely has two seasons under his belt, and he showed he could pitch during 2006 Last year, he struggled, which young pitchers do.