Cleveland sports teams have been known to portray their city's weather: One day you get something, the next you get something completely different. It does add a spicy sense of excitement, in a sense that fans never what they're going to get. But it finally looks like the Indians are going to add one crucial element to their performance: consistency. That is one of many reasons to believe that the Tribe is for real, and not just a coincidence.
1. They are winning close games
Good teams just get it done. No matter what way, shape, or form, whether impressive or ugly, walk off of not, the Indians have gotten the end result to be the same. The seventh, eighth, ninth and every inning after that has been an area where the Indians excel with a high level of comfortability and tranquility. They've gone a respectable 7-5 in games that were decided by three runs or less.
2. They are winning the low scoring games
There have been an abundance of pitchers duels this season, and the Indians bats have given just enough runs of support. They are 7-6 in games where they have posted four runs or fewer. In previous years, if the Tribe didn't score higher than that mark: forget it. They stood no chance; this season is different. Their pitching, starting and relieving, hasn't been bad either. Their team ERA is ninth in the big leagues.
3. The lineup in coming together without the presence of a big bat
In manager Manny Acta ‘s everyday lineup card, there really isn't a go-to, clutch, experienced hitter. But that doesn't matter. Hitters 1-through-9 have done their fair share of damage to oppose pitchers. The Indians as a team are 4th in MLB in batting average, ahead of the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees.
4. Chicks dig the long ball!
Cleveland's 34 dingers are third best in the league. They have seven players with four homeruns or more in the season's opening month. Solid starts to the season's of Jack Hannahan and Grady Sizemore (after his left knee was fully recovered from surgery) have played a large part of the fireworks at Progressive Field.
5. Something special was bound to happen in a season dedicated to Bob Feller
The man who represented the Cleveland Indians franchise for the past century, nearly, had his number patched on each 2011 Indians jersey for the entire season. The team has gotten the post-Feller era off on a good note, and it should continue through the next couple of months, at least.