At 7:05pm our selection is on the Cleveland Indians over the Oakland Athletics. Two of the American League's biggest surprise teams meet at Jacobs Field for the start of a critical four game series for both clubs. In the case of the Indians, they have seen their lead in the central division evaporate as the red-hot Detroit Tigers have caught and passed them during the interleague play and Cleveland must do well in series like this one in order to keep it close. In the case of Oakland, it could be now or never as despite a pretty decent record of 39-35, they have seen the Angels get stronger and stronger as the season has gone on and they have now fallen behind by 9 games. The A's have to play better than they did in New York as the Mets blasted them in a 3 game sweep at Shea by a combined score of 20-2. It doesn't get any easier coming into Cleveland to face the Indians and veteran lefthander Cliff Lee. Lee had to shake of some rust when he first came off the DL, but now, ten starts into his return, he is starting to look like the Lee of old. Oakland righty Chad Gaudin is another young starter who looked great at the beginning of the season but has started to come down to earth more recently. The Oakland bullpen is perhaps the team's weakest link as numerous injuries have devastated the A's relievers. By contrast, Cleveland's pen has been outstanding, and even the shaky closer Borowski has shown signs of setting down in converting his recent save opportunites without incident. Take the Indians. As always, good luck...Al McMordie. :toast:
