The Sunday Drive with Masterson, Tomlin, Sizemore and Pure Rage

© Cleveland Indians

The Easter eggs were aplenty in the Pete household on Saturday Night, as the diabolical duo (as my wife and I have dubbed my nine-year-old and my six-year old) spent the night coloring them every shade under the sun.

While there were no major brawls this year during the egg hunt (last year, we put on our own version of Wrestlemania when my son put the first two eggs he found directly in my daughter's face, and she took exception), there nearly was family banishment during the coloring of the first eggs. My son immediately went two-tone, coloring his egg half red, and half blue, dubbing it his "Cleveland Indians egg". My daughter went right for the blue, and when it came out, there were three perfect pinstipes of blue surrounding the egg. "Daddy," she said mischievously, "this is my Yankees egg, and it can beat the Indians' egg whenever it wants."

We better get driving, before the Easter bunny only fills one of my kid's baskets this year...

Three UP...

1. Who isn't excited by the starting pitching as a whole, and by Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin in particular? If you just look at the particulars, their seasons are likely already better than most people thought. Tomlin fought for the last spot in the rotation all spring, and is pulling out his best Cliff Lee impression. In four starts this season, he's 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA. He's struck out 15 batters, and walked only seven in 27 total innings. Overall, Tomlin swallow up innings and win games. Personally, I'm sick of the people that say wins aren't important...it's the whole point, and that's what Tomlin does. If he stays away from the long ball, this could be a big year for the young righty.

Masterson really is one the one to watch though. For over a year, Tribe brass and fans alike have been debating Masterson's role on the team. Ultimately, would the big righty continue as a starter, or move to the bullpen. Last year was his first full season with the Tribe, and after a rough start, he did finish the year strong. In his last six starts, he pitched at least six innings, and in his last three, at least seven. During those last three games, he only gave up a run in each game, while striking out 18, and walking four. His ERA would drop a quarter of a run.

This season, Masterson has continued right where he left off, and then some. He's 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA. Masterson is pelting the strike zone with his fastball/slider combination, and tossing in enough changeups to keep the hitters honest. Here's where you can see Belcher's influence with regards to throwing strikes. Instead of trying to paint the corner with ever pitch, he's just letting his stuff take care of itself, and that's the difference.

Can Masterson and Tomlin continue the trend? Masterson really seems to have figured out how to replicate his outstanding stuff in a starting role, so while I doubt he remains this good all season, I think it's not a stretch to say that this could be a special year. With regards to Tomlin, I'm not as sure. This would be his first full season with the Tribe, and he really doesn't have the stuff to rely on as Masterson does when he inevitably struggles. Is Tomlin a good starter? Yeah, just look at his stats in the minors (51-24, 3.20 ERA in five seasons). Will those numbers translate in the majors? So far so good.

2. Grady Sizemore has made a big splash in his return from microfracture surgery last May. It's easy to forget how good Sizemore is, because fans really haven't seen Sizemore's brilliance in over a year. When Sizemore is healthy, he plays with a pure and nearly uncontrollable aggression that is impressive to watch. The 28-year-old is 9 for his first 23, with two homers and five RBI. His OBP is a crazy .440 right now, and while he hasn't been unleashed on the basepaths yet, he's clearly got his speed back. Sizemore is the best player on this team, and he's back. So is his aggressive play, that I very much doubt he will change any time soon. While I'd like him to find a way to stay 100% and not overcharge every ball, don't count on it. Sizemore plays every game like it's his last. It's what makes him who he is. I'm glad he's back, for however long it turns out to be.

3. Chris Perez is the type of closer that the Indians haven't had since Jose Mesa's sublime year in 1995. Sure, other closers have put up good numbers, but Perez has the type of stuff that should keep him from pulling a Borowski any time soon. Sure, Perez got lit up like a candle this past Thursday, when he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. Those hiccups will happen. Dating back to last year, Perez hadn't blown a previous save since an August 6th start against Minnesota. Since then, he saved 16 games in a row (third all-time for the Tribe) without giving up a run (second all-time).

He's got the blazing 95 MPH (he can top that) fastball, and a slider that can screw you into the ground. He's a huge presence on the mound, at 6-4 and 230 pounds, has crazy hair, and the crazy look. You can tell that the kid is wired for sound, and it translates. The big question is how he responds to blowing saves. We'll find out in his next appearance, but my guess is that we can put the heart medication back in the medicine cabinet.

...and three DOWN...

3. Fausto Carmona can't quite figure out if he's brilliant, or scuffling. Carmona got lit up in his first start, to the tune of 10 earned runs in three innings of work. Then, Carmona brought out the brilliance during his next three starts, going seven-plus in each, giving up only three earned runs, striking out 15, and walking only six. In his last start, Carmona lost his control, giving up six runs in five innings of work. The more alarming stat was the return of the walks. He walked four, while striking out one. If he throws strikes he's one of the best pitchers in the league. Throw strikes Fausto. Yeah, I know, sounds easy.

2. Shin-Soo Choo has come out of the gate crawling. We all know that Choo will rebound, but he's started the season struggling. Choo is only hitting .205, but thanks to some support around him, he still has 10 runs scored, and 10 RBI. Choo will right the ship, let's just hope it's soon.

3. While the Tribe bullpen has clearly been a strength for the team, Chad Durbin has really scuffled. How bad has he been? In 8.1 innings pitched in relief, he's given up seven earned runs. With a slew of arms in Akron and Columbus, it doesn't make much sense to keep Durbin around as long as he's playing the pot-luck game with every appearance. It appears as though Acta like Durbin, so I'm sure he'll get a few more chances. For his sake, I hope he rights the ship. If not, get some of those young arms up here.

The REARVIEWMIRROR...

Hopefully you all will find yourselves sitting with your family eating that Easter ham and watching some Indians baseball. For once, this Tribe team has given us something to watch. There's a nice little nucleus of players who have been around a few years, infused with some solid young talent. The staff is throwing strikes, and the defense has been exceptional. Much like most Tribe fans, I've over-analyzed every sign, trying to figure out whether or not this is going to last longer than the next start. It's time to forget about all that, and enjoy it while we've got it....

...and don't forget a shout out to IPI head honcho, Tony Lastoria.  Hopefully, Tony's resting comfortably today with his family, with thoughts of going home soon.

Have a Happy Easter everybody, and may your Easter eggs be of the red-and-blue variety, and not wretched pinstripes.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

Posted in: Chris Perez,Grady Sizemore,Josh Tomlin,Justin Masterson,The Sunday Drive