It's probably too soon to panic regarding the Indians, but certainly not too early to become a bit concerned about how they have been playing. Gale and I happened to be there for Dollar Dog Night against the Red Sox and to see it up close and then continue tonight against Detroit has me wondering how they can correct some things.

Starting Pitching:

C.C. has been awful and got pounded again by the Tigers today, who have found their hitting stroke after a bad start. Paul Byrd was a train wreck until last night's start. Fausto Carmona has had the A's lay off that sinker and walk a lot in two starts against them. Cliff Lee looks in fine form, as does Jake Westbrook. Last year, the starting five had an uncanny ability, especially late in the season, to string together some nice winning streaks and kept winning series after series. This year, it's been very inconsistent.

Relief Pitching:

Thank God, Joe Borowski was hurt. If they had found nothing wrong with him, I'm not sure how useful he could be. Of course, this may be a phantom injury to pull him aside and work on things, but he was horrible. Sure, the guy was a roller coaster, but statwise, he had many 1-2-3 innings last year for saves, more than people realize. It will be tough to match his 45-save total from last year.

My concern here is there seems to be no pattern as to who enters the game. Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, Jensen Lewis have appeared in innings 7 through 9, seemingly on a random basis. Wedgie also has started the annoying habit of bringing back a reliever to pitch a second inning. On many occasions this year, they have been nicked for runs in that second inning. It happened again with Perez and Lewis last night. Kobayashi? Did we get sold a bill of goods with this guy? The all-time Japanese saves leader, who on signing day, was regarded as a possible replacement for Borowski, if he slipped. This guy can't even get into games that are on the line, because he is still adjusting to AL batting? That's nuts.

Hitting:

Same old, same old. Victor Martinez carrying us, but not hitting for much power and hadn't drawn a walk through Tuesday. Travis Hafner, again not driving the ball like he used to, thus far. Several guys below .200 including Blake, Cabrera, Gutierrez. Jason Michaels came into Tuesday's game and people can't even muster the strength to boo him at .103. He pinch-hit and the crowd ignored him. That's a bad sign.

Garko and Delucci not bad so far. Give Delucci credit, his OBP is way up this year, so I think we may see more of him in the lineup. Garko is maintaining a .300 average. Peralta is doing what he normally does, but his range at short cost us a run on Tuesday.

So, it's been a mixed bag. We'll see if the inactivity of the front office has cost us this year.

Meal of Links

Do you have enough time for social media? Uh, that would be negatory.

Slate talks about Jungereality. That is, reality shows with the really tough jobs, like "Deadliest Catch".

The Worst No. 1 Songs of the '80s. Oh yes, there are some bad ones here. Good job, if only to dredge up horrific memories of Mr. Mister. NKOTB...ouch! "We Built This City" could easily be Number 1. "Kokomo" and "Physical" round it out.

As Robert Palmer used to sing in reply to "Physical", "Sister, don't you jog it all away."

Bruce Springsteen endorses Barack Obama. Where's Bon Jovi?

Exercise Yard

Baseball's worst free agent signings. Surprisingly, no Tribe deals made it. Because they never really risk major coin.

Visitor

26 Across: '80s title sitcom role for Soleil Moon Frye (13 letters) Answer: Punky Brewster