Carmona Had Better Get Over Struggles
Monday was not the best of days for Tribe thrower Fausto Carmona, who was shelled as the Indians lost to Toronto 6-1 in Dunedin. Fasto lasted just 47 pitches, and gave up a pair of runs in the first on two hits and a walk, and then walked home a run in the second. There is some concern about Fausto and teams being a bit more prepared for him this season now that he’s got a full year at starter under his belt.
The Indians cannot afford to have him go into a slide like Cliff Lee did a season ago. The plan seems to be in place for him to become the teams ace in 2009 when C.C. Sabathia sails off to another team making likely close to $15-$20 mil per season. He threw 215 innings last season, and after his first outing vs the Yankees in the playoffs, seemed spent.
Bottom line is that he has to continue to get better, not get things so caught up in his head like what happened vs the Red Sox last season, and keep trying to develop as a better Major League pitcher day after day. If he can do that, he’ll be fine. If not, it’s going to spell disaster for the Tribe.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
