Big Wheel Keep On Turnin'

It took a six run 7th inning at the hands of the Red Sox, but the Indians' good faith in Dan Wheeler has finally run out.  During a spring camp in which Wheeler was handed a job before even arriving, despite fandom being intentionally misled that he was in competition, he posted a 10.64 ERA and a .417 OBA while allowing 6 gopher balls in 11 innings.  I will reiterate that there was literally nothing that Dan could have done on the field to lose that bullpen spot.  He kept his job through April with a 4.26 ERA, though he was rarely used in important situations or with much confidence.  May, however, was an unmitigated disaster, horrible to the extent that even woManny & the dullards were forced to recognize that their clever plan to select a washed up bum based on his performances of two and three years ago had failed.  I told you in late March that Wheeler would stink and that he would be unceremoniously released in May.  I guess he could still clear waivers and take the trip to Columbus, but I doubt it.  No corresponding roster move was announced, but I would bet on Jeremy Accardo.

After getting tagged for four runs in the first and allowing 6 over 6 to Boston, Justin Masterson now has the worst ERA (5.40) of any pitcher to make 8 starts in 2012.  He also has the worst WHIP (1.53), the fewest wins (1) and the 2nd worst strike % (59).  This is our ace. 

A couple of quick hits, then I'm out.  Michael Brantley went 9-for-18 in the series at Fenway to raise his batting average from .233 to .269.  Shin-Soo Choo, a career .267 hitter against lefties, is batting .103 (4-for-39) with 0 RBI and 13 K's against southpaws this season.  With the demotion of Jason Donald, Jack Hannahan has become the Tribe's back-up shortstop.  Jack made his Indians debut at short in the 8th inning of yesterday's game, it was the 12th frame that he had played at the position in the bigs.  He did not receive a chance.

Still in first place, but damn we need to string some wins together.

Roll Tribe.

Cheers.

P.s.  For those of you with whom I was recently discussing former Indian Hector Luna, he was called up by the Phillies over the weekend.