Let's See What We Can Do

Well after a split with Minnesota and taking 2 of 3 from Chicago the Tribe sits atop the AL Central by 1 1/2 games. The struggles of the Tigers and the Twins have had just as much bearing on that as the Indians themselves, but regardless, they remain in first. That fact will be tested over the next two weeks.

With the red hot Yankees visiting The Jake for 3 followed by the Tigers for 2, The Indians have been given yet another opportunity to put some distance between them and both the Tigers and the Wild Card field. They follow that up with a visit to Tampa Bay before heading to Detroit to take on the Tigers again. A critical two weeks to say the least.

The offense will have to come out of its funk to compete with the Yankees who seem to be scoring 7 or 8 runs every night. They will be without Travis Hafner who is on the mend after tweaking his knee sliding into second base versus the White Sox. Can someone other than Victor Martinez stimulate this offense? Can Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook continue to pitch effectively, if not brilliantly, to keep the Indians in every game? Will it all finally click on all cylinders for the Indians?

The next two weeks will tell us a lot. Let's hope what it tells us evokes happiness and not bewilderment.