Indians Yank Away Season Series: Michaels traded to Pirates

Winning each series has been a part of the Indians mantra for the past few years. The Indians did just that, taking two out of three from the Bronx Bombers. Neither team was at full strength health-wise, but both displayed some glaring weaknesses. The Yankees' starting pitching did the its job keeping their club in each ballgame, but they do not possess one clear cut number 1 starter. Also, not having A-Rod or Posada makes their lineup less menacing. The Tribe continued to struggle with the bats, Cliff Lee pitched another gem, and the starting nine changes by the day.

Amazingly, the team is only 1 1/2 games out of first place, as no team seems to be able to get on a roll. Victor Martinez has been out the past two games with a stiff neck, which will not help the run production. Travis Hafner has continued his downward spiral and looks completely clueless at the plate. No one is more upset with his lack of production than Hafner, so hopefully some of these mental health days will benefit his psyche.

Here were some of the Highlights:

Cliff Lee: 7 IP, 6 hits, 7 K's, 0 earned runs. Simply put, has been the MVP of this team so far this year and the best pitcher in the American League. Won all 6 of his starts.

Rafael Betancourt: 2 saves. I guess we have a closer again. Has not blown a save yet when the Indians have been leading in the 9th. We will see if he can continue rolling.

Rafeal Perez: 3 shutout innings, 4 K's. Raffy left is settling in as the new go to guy in the 8th. His consistency is paramount to the club, as the bullpen is constantly pitching in close games.

David Dellucci: 2-9, 4RBI, 1 game winning 3-run homer. Dellucci provided the biggest hit of the year so far as he jacked a dinger with 2 outs in the 8th off of chubby Joba Chamberlain. DD keeps raking, but is not a 3 hole hitter.

Ben Francisco: 4-11, double. The savior arrives! The team is 6-1 with him on the roster. Should help out the offense a little, definitely an upgrade.

Areas of Concern:

Paul Byrd: 6 1/3 innings, 8 hits, 0 K's, 5 earned runs. Paul's neck may hurt more than Victor's tonight as he watched the Yankees deposit ball after ball into the rightfield stands.

Travis Hafner: His at bat Wednesday with the bases loaded pretty muched summed up most of his season so far. Really need the big guy.

Ryan Garko: 1-8. Another batter who needs to dial it up a notch. Run production has been non existent for about three weeks now.

2nd Base: Although Jamey Carroll is a gamer, the team needs Asdrubal to become consistent or he will be back in Buffalo. Cabrera has not had a hit for a week.

Joba Chamberlain: His mound antics are ridiculous. He pumped his fist twice after striking out Dellucci Thursday, like he won the World Series. It is called class fat boy, learn some from your closer.

Two former Cy Young award winners square off in the upcoming four game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. CC Sabathia looks for his second win against Roy Halladay Friday.

Also, Jason Michaels and cash were traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named. Good luck to the mullet, as he is probably a better National League player anyways.