No one actually believes the Baltimore Orioles or the Cleveland Indians are going to win their respective divisions. The American League East is too tough, the thinking goes, and the AL Central — well, Detroit is clearly better than Cleveland anyway. But a hot start still does wonders. Both teams are in first place on May 24 and show no signs yet of faltering. The Orioles last had a winning season in 1998. The Indians last had a winning season in 2007 when they made the playoffs.
But Cleveland has been here before. Last season it was in first place on May ?20 with a 27-15 record — the exact record Baltimore had on May 20 this season. The Indians actually were in first place as late as July 20. But while they eventually finished with a losing record, it wasn’t until injuries crippled them in the second half that they fell below .500.
The Orioles, given the dire predictions for them before this season, probably would take a winning campaign and run with it.
The problem for both teams is depth. Cleveland has top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall waiting to take over an infield spot, if needed, but most of its best minor leaguers are in the lower levels and of no help this summer.
The Orioles’ lineup is solid, but the rotation, while better than expected, has little behind it. Jason Hammel, acquired from Colorado in a trade and pitching beautifully, already has had his knee drained. Baltimore has top prospect Zach Britton making a rehab start at Double-A Bowie this week, and he could be ready to return from a shoulder injury early next month. But it’s not a group that can survive much injury or regression.
– Brian McNally
