Imagine that. The Indians are scoring a boatload of runs, but their pitching staff is unable to get anyone out. We've never seen this act before, have we? The Tribe knew two years ago that they'd need better pitching to advance further in the playoffs. They added Chuck Finley, Yankee Killer, for that purpose. The bad news: Finley, it turns out, is not the answer. The good news: They may have found some younger pitchers who are the answer. Here's a look at what the Indians did right, and not so right, in the first half of the season.
First-half MVP: Juan Gonzalez (.347-23-83). How could any expert not have seen a return to glory for this guy, who was miserable last year in Detroit? Gonzo has stepped into the void left by Manny Ramirez and filled it, completely. Honorable mention goes to Roberto Alomar, who led the American League in hitting in the first half with a .358 average, and Ellis Burks, who has remained healthy and is on pace to hit 40 home runs for the first time since leaving Colorado.
Biggest Surprise: C.C. Sabathia wasn't even supposed to be in the starting rotation yet. He's just 20 years old. First, he surprised by being named the fourth starter at the beginning of the season. Then, he further surprised by being the team's best starter in the first half, winning seven games. His 4.72 ERA is not the stuff dreams are made of, but it still gives him the lowest ERA on the team for any pitcher with at least 80 innings pitched. Marty Cordova has revived his career and continues to keep his average up at around .340.
Biggest disappointment: Finley, hands down. He did the job last year, but has struggled so horribly at times this season that his ERA away from Jacobs Field is 9.82, and opponents are hitting .404 against him with runners in scoring position. Also high on the disappointment list is Bartolo Colon. Before the season, Colon was telling the world he was going to win 23 games. Now, he's just hoping to win two games at home this year. He's 1-5 with a 5.72 in Cleveland, hardly numbers worthy of a guy considered to be one of the elite pitchers in the game.
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Indians first-half comparison
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2000
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2001
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W-L
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44-42
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49-36
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HR leader
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Thome, 23
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Thome, 26
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BA leader
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Fryman, .321
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Alomar, .358
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ERA
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Finley, 3.73
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Sabathia, 4.72
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Second-half goals: The Tribe has to figure out what their rotation is, and the answer cannot include four guys with plus-six ERAs. That's where Finley (6.45), Dave Burba (6.45), Jaret Wright (6.52), and Charles Nagy (6.25) find themselves at the break. Don't be surprised if forgotten-man Steve Woodard (1-0, 3.90 in 12 appearances) gets another chance to start, given the dire pitching situation in Northern Ohio. Keeping John Rocker out of trouble is a new goal, as they acquired the potential clubhouse disaster in late June. Getting a home run or two from third baseman Travis Fryman wouldn't be a bad thing, either. Zero in his first 103 at-bats is not what they expected from the powerful guy at the hot corner, but he's sure to come around.
Minor-leaguer to watch: So many possibilities, as Triple-A Buffalo has become a breeding ground for guys seeking a last shot at major-league glory. Unfortunately, none of the possibilities should have a huge impact. Former Phillies third baseman Dave Hollins is there, as is infielder Mark Lewis, who got a quick look in Cleveland in May. Outfielder Karim Garcia, once a hot prospect for the Dodgers who has never lived up to the hype, is showing good pop but no consistency at the bat. All three may see time in Cleveland, as may speedy outfielder Dave Roberts, who returned from rotator-cuff surgery in June. Danny Peoples has great power, but has struck out 91 times already in his first 258 at-bats. They already have Russ Branyan (87 Ks in 216 at-bats) to fill that role.
Grade:  -- The Indians are in better shape at the break this year than they were last year. The team ahead of them, Minnesota, is young and may not have the hitting to last down the stretch drive. That said, do the Indians have the pitching? Based on the first half of the season, they really don't. Until they do, this team is going to remain a perennial tease.
Here's what you had to say about the first half of the season for the Indians.
Bill Konigsberg is an assistant editor at ESPN.com
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