Tribe will be heard from

Indians are my World Series title pick for '08

Posted: Monday March 31, 2008 1:30PM; Updated: Monday March 31, 2008 4:44PM

Cy Yound winner C.C. Sabathia is just one of the many talented arms on Cleveland's staff.

Also in the Daily Scoop...
• Final preseason predictions.
• No radar love.
• News and notes from around the majors.

A lot of folks are focusing on the Cubs in their big anniversary year (100 years since they last won the World Series). But the Indians have their own anniversary. It's been 60 years since they won a World Series title. That's quite a run, though predictably it's received very little national attention with the beloved Cubbies staring down the century mark.

This could finally be the year Chief Wahoo's smile becomes real.

The Indians have a lot going for them, beginning with two great starters at the top of the rotation in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, unusual pitching depth, plenty of youth and perhaps even a little extra hunger after reaching the cusp of the World Series. Plus, unlike a lot of their American League competitors, nothing bad happened to them in spring training.

I asked Mets GM Omar Minaya which team most impressed him in spring training, and he didn't hesitate. "Cleveland,'' Minaya said.

Surprisingly few folks noticed that the Indians were the closest thing to Boston last year, matching the eventual World Series champion with 96 regular-season wins, then coming close to knocking out the Sox by going up 3-games-to-1 in the ALCS. But eventually, Boston's experience prevailed.

Now it may be Cleveland's turn. "Cleveland has been through the wars,'' one American League scout said. "Now they're ready.''

Cagey general manager Mark Shapiro managed to return essentially the same team for at least one more run before ace pitcher Sabathia presumably goes off to greener pastures. In the meantime, with Sabathia combining with Carmona and being followed by Jake Westbrook (0.00 ERA this spring, not bad), Paul Byrd and Cliff Lee and backed up by Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey and the highly regarded Adam Miller, they are fortified for a defense of their AL Central crown.

Another plus: Unlike their major competitors, there aren't worrisome injuries or major questions hanging over their heads.

Sabathia's impending free agency and closer Joe Borowski's tightrope finishes are about the biggest worries. Borowski is a scary closer who wasn't exactly lighting up the radar gun at 82-84 this spring, low even for him. But Borowski's never been about radar readings; the man seems to have no idea how vulnerable he should be out there.

The Indians have an extremely deep bullpen, with Masahide Kobayashi, Jensen Lewis and the Rafaels (Betancourt and Perez) fronting Borowski. They may need every bit of it to fend off the Detroit Tigers, whose lineup is crazy good (.292 average and 42 homers this spring). The division is the Indians' focus. And if they can get past the Tigers and the others, one Indians person said, "I'll take our chances.''