The Cleveland Indians are not off to an ideal start.
A 1-3 record is bad enough.
Then comes the fact the team is having trouble doing the necessary task of scoring runs.
A shutout in Monday’s home opener was painful to watch and fans may be freaking out.
Let’s look at a few overreactions that are likely circling around social media.
That's the game.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/wsk2AN4m10
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 5, 2021
3. The Offense Can’t Score
The offense is, well, bad so far this season.
The only bright spot was a nine-run day Sunday against the Detroit Tigers in the only win of the season.
Aside from that, the Indians have a combined four runs in the three losses.
There is just no flow in this lineup.
Jordan Luplow and Ben Gamel are not dynamic options in the leadoff spot and no one player has stepped up in a big way yet.
Jose Ramirez, as expected, is leading the team in hits up to this point.
The concern comes from the fact the Indians aren’t getting shut down by elite pitchers.
They made Danny Duffy look much better than he was Monday.
If they can’t even get a single run against Duffy, they are doomed against top pitchers on the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.
2. Terry Francona Needs a Lineup Specialist
nothing says excitement like Jordan Luplow batting leadoff! https://t.co/bFI07fqOpT
— Jordan Zirm (The Corner Bar Franmil Reyes) (@JordanZirm) April 1, 2021
The lineup construction has been frustrating, to say the least.
It starts with Luplow and Gamel being in a platoon atop the lineup.
In fact, three positions appear to have a platoon situation to start the year.
An everyday player should be holding down the leadoff spot, especially to start the season.
It is unfair to expect someone to play a few times a week and be the man to spark the offense.
However, a lot of the problems are the result of ownership and the front office not spending money.
About that…
1. The Dolans Are Tanking the Franchise
Oh, the Dolans.
Indians fans can band together in their collective disdain for the owners who just sent Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets.
And don’t forget about letting Carlos Santana walk to join the Royals.
The team has the lowest payroll in baseball and the claim of being a small-market team doesn’t fly when other teams in a similar boat are spending to win.
Building a team around young talent means saving money and that was obviously the goal in 2021.
The difference is that the team has some elite young talent, such as Shane Bieber, that avoids the Indians turning into the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Fans still have a right to be upset.
Are the Dolans deliberately trying to lose?
Or do they genuinely not understand how to run a franchise?
Plenty of fans will provide heated answers to those questions and will only get angrier if the losing continues.
As always, it is still early.
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