Interview With The Enemy: Cleveland’s Factory Of Sadness On Tigers Vs. Indians Series

Aug 8, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones (51) and Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) talk before the game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

With a huge series against the Cleveland Indians beginning tonight, Detroit Jock City reached out to Factory of Sadness Editor Jared Mueller to get his take on Terry Francona, the surprising Indian summer and what the Indians need to take the next step.

DJC: Terry Francona has clearly had a positive affect on the team.  What is it about his style that is getting the Indians to respond?

FOS: Francona’s positive and personal interactions with the players has been a welcomed addition to the team. Tito has the experience, both as a player and a coach, to demand respect. This allows him to be fun-loving and playful with his players but when he needs to he has the background to hold their ear. Francona has been chided by local media for in-game maneuvers but has never been the greatest tactician and that is not his strength. The other big impact of Francona is his ability to draw free agent players such as Nick Swisher and Michael Bourne. While these players may have come for the money, Tito’s presence gives the team a big time appeal.

DJC: What one piece does Cleveland need to put them over the top in the American League Central?

FOS: The biggest piece that Cleveland is missing is a middle of the lineup bat. The Tribe has a lot of professional hitters but often has to string together rallies. Based on odds and statistics this can be a more difficult way of long-term winning. A big bopper in the 4 hole would put everyone in better positions in the batting order with Bourne leading off and Swisher in #2 hole. Carlos Santana would then fit in as a highly quality hitter with some power batting 5th.

DJC: The Indians are having success despite predictions to the contrary. Is this season just as big of a surprise to Cleveland fans?

FOS: The fans are surprised by the results but with heightened expectations. The fans are disappointed in their progress against winning teams, such as the Tigers. The Tribe, for all their end of the season records, has started the past few years off strongly only to fall off quickly.

Fans are unsure whether the team will ever be able to field a constantly competitive team. They look at the Tigers, in the city of Detroit that has its own financial struggles, and wonder what is keeping their team from competing like Detroit’s. The other issues is the hope the fans have in the new Browns regime and the hope of Kyrie Irving’s Cavaliers.

DJC: This series is huge for both teams.  What does Cleveland have to do to beat the Tigers?

FOS: This series is huge. The Indians will need great pitching against your big bats, especially Miguel Cabrera. The last series started off well in this area but they couldn’t keep the bats down for whole games. The biggest thing that needs to change is at the bat. The Tribe has struggled at the plate over the past few weeks, months. The team will go days with no more than 2 or 3 runs. Against the Tigers runs may be at a premium but they will need to take advantage of Tigers’ pitching mistakes.

Like we talked about in question #2 without a big bat in the middle the Indians will need to piece together hits, steals and timely sacrifices to find enough runs to win. It will be tough for the Indians to take the needed 2 of 3 much less sweep the series, but that is necessary for them to make up the space between the two teams.