Time to look at the Tribe's chances in 2007. Let's not get all excited after Game One (Grady Sizemore made Spring Training look important, didn't he?), but we need to gaze realistically into the crystal ball.

No question, the strength of the team is starting pitching. Who would have thought that a while back? If healthy, this staff will keep us in a lot of ballgames this year. And we have help on the farm. We can't get only 12 wins from C.C. Oh, he'll cash in as a free agent, but if he makes the leap to 18-20 wins, he'll eventually get a monster deal. I think Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd, and Jake Westbrook should be solid. Jeremy Sowers, who I like a lot, has potential to be a really good starter. If he makes a leap this year, I think we'll contend.

The best thing about the bullpen this year is the presence of many veterans. Yeah, it's patchwork, but with clearly-defined roles, it's got a chance to thrive. Let's see how Joe Borowski closes. If he gets over 35 saves like last year, I think the brass would be happy.

It's the everyday lineup that may contain some surprises. We can't get more solid than Hafner, Martinez and Sizemore. No worries there. We should expect a better season from Peralta at short and Josh Barfield should impress at second base. It's the remaining positions that might cause some trouble. Third base is a mystery with Marte. First base could be solid if Ryan Garko repeats his hitting of the final two months of last year. The remaining outfield platoons bore me, but they are filled with veterans like Michaels, Nixon, Blake and Delucci. If they do their jobs, it may not be an issue.

Eric Wedge is on the hotseat, I think. Not many teams have patience with a manager who does not make the playoffs after five seasons. Most would say the guy is decent, but maybe not the one to take a team to the proverbial next level.

Having said that, I think the Indians do make the playoffs this year. It's a strong division and we seem to have one team lately who dominates out of the gate. Even Kansas City had a strong start a few years back, but Chicago and Detroit have been on fire early the last two seasons. It would be nice to get ahead early. I look for 91 wins and some October baseball.

Some notes on the season opener at Comiskey.

Meal of Links

"Twin Peaks" on DVD today. "I'm worried about Coop."

A kid in 1901 writes about life in 2001. It sounds like Edison was the bomb back then.

Looks like that early move to Daylight Savings Time has produced not much in the area of power savings. I like the move, but I never believed it would save energy, especially when it's dark in the a.m.

National Anthems

Here is a different take as Sufjan Stevens performs. It's kind of a harsh view, as it's a jumpy video, there are people chatting and it's a really strange version to begin with.

Sufjan Stevens at the Sasquatch Festival



Exercise Yard

S. and I returned to the scene of the crime at the Q to watch the Women's NCAA Final. Cannot understate my hatred for that goddamn "Rocky Top" song. Anyhow, Tennessee beat Rutgers in a game that really held no aesthetic pleasure for me. The highlight was actually scoring food. Soy Ginger Chicken on a stick with fried rice. And wasabi. Hello. Rutgers suffered from too many turnovers and not enough rebounds. All you need to know is this: someone from Tennessee is 5'2" and made three pointers. Could not understand why they didn't make that munchkin play harder.

Games aside, it was a great event for the town. The beautiful weather held again today and from what I heard, very positive comments from the visitors. Probably a good chance to maybe get another regional final.

Visitor

40 Across: Stuttering pig (5 letters) Answer: Porky