Cleveland%2520Indians

The rise to the big leagues is a tough, tumultuous trail at times, but Cleveland Indians’ relief pitcher Cody Allen was fortunate enough to fast-forward the process. Cody Allen started the 2012 season at High-A Carolina then breezed through Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus before getting his first ever big league call on July 20th. Stephanie Metzger recently sat down with the talented righty to try and bring into focus what has been a crazy, exciting year for him.

The Indians have proven to be a mediocre team this season. They are too inconsistent with their starting pitching and offense to win as a consistent pace, have flaws with their roster and are fading in the AL Central as the calendar gets set to flip to August. But Tony believes the Indians should be buyers and look for ways to improve the roster, and also says they need to take more risks and work to restore the faith in the fans.

Coming into the game having just beaten the American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner in Justin Verlander, the Indians made Twins left-hander Scott Diamond look like a Cy Young candidate himself, getting embarrassed and losing to Minnesota 11-0 on last night. Jim Berdysz does his best to sift through the carnage in today's Second Thoughts.

No one ever said it was easy to be the general manager of a Major League ball club. Just days before the 2012 MLB trade deadline, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti finds himself the subject of major scrutiny as he tried to acquire and arm and bat. But what about the internal options to improve the club that have largely gone ignored? Steve Orbanek opines...

Wow, what a game and what a series. The Indians and Tigers finished off a crucial three-game series between AL Central contenders in what was a playoff atmosphere at Progressive Field. The Indians stunned the Tigers and their ace Justin Verlander with a four-run 7th to come back and win 5-3, and Adam McGavin shares his second thoughts on the big series win for the Tribe.

The Indians rollercoaster ride of a season and inconsistent play showed up again last night as the offense was held to three runs on five hits, Derek Lowe was ineffective, and Asdrubal Cabrera made two crucial errors on the night In the end it all added up to a 5-3 loss to the Tigers, which means they have to beat Verlander today to salvage a series victory. Charlie Adams provides his second thoughts...

Ubaldo Jimenez came up big in one of the most important games of the year for the Indians last night, and the offense gave him and the bullpen just enough to "squeeze" out a 3-2 win over the first place Tigers. It was a much needed win to start off an all important three-game series against the rival Tigers, and Charlie Adams provides his second thoughts on the game.

Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #16-#22, but #15 is free! Here's a look at #15, after the jump.

The Indians are in a free fall, and at the wrong time. The Indians lost to the Baltimore Orioles last nigh, their fourth in a row, and fell under .500 for the first time since April. The Indians rallied in the ninth, behind 4-0, but fell a run short, losing to the Orioles, 4-3. Is this the end, with the Tigers playing so well? Jim Berdysz asks "What if," after the jump...

The "hardest working man on the internet" is taking a much-needed and well-deserved vacation, and while you can be sure to see him on occasion this week, he's taking the weekend off. Jim Pete is grabbing the reigns of Tribe Happenings this Sunday, and he'll be talking about Roberto Hernandez, and how he may affect the rotation, Cody Allen emergence and Carlos Santana's struggles. Join Jim with this week's Tribe Happenings, after the jump...

Today the Indians have announced that right-handed pitcher Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, has been granted his visa by the U.S. Consulate in the Dominican Republic and is scheduled to arrive in Cleveland this evening. With the government's decision made and his return official, Major League Baseball handed down a three week suspension for age and idenity fraud. He is eligible to return on August 11th.

Enough treading water. The Indians need to make a move. With many saying this team can't win, or wait until next year, Jim Pete is off that bandwagon. This team can win, and win now. A big bat and a #2 or #3 pitcher could turn the tide. Easier said than done? Let Antonetti worry about that, it's his job...but get it done. Join Jim Pete on the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario as he rallies the trade wagons...after the jump...

Arthur Kinney brings his unique look to Second Thoughts today, filling in for Friday Night regular, Jim Berdysz. Arthur takes a look at one Mr. Derek Lowe, a spectacular (at times) defense, and the premiere of a potential bullpen ace in Cody Allen. Read all of Arthur's "Second Thoughts," after the jump....

Should the Indians deal Francisco Lindor? Should Carlos Santana be relieved of his duties? Is Johnny Damon and Shelley Duncan the answer in left field? Adam McGavin returns with his weekly look at what's right on, or way off. What's your verdict? Check in to see what Adam's verdict is, after the jump....

The Indians were up against a tough foe on Thursday as they tried to win the series against the Rays with their ace David Price on the mound. Things did not go so well as Price dominated and the Rays had a big sixth inning to blow the game open and win easily 6-0. Jason Ruggiero gives his "second thoughts" on the game...

The Indians exploded offensively last night and scored ten runs with two outs and beat the Rays 10-6 in a much needed win for them. Justin Masterson struggled, but the bullpen and defense kept them close until the offense found a way to break...and then Carlos Santana's moon shot put the game away. Charlie Adams breaks down the game only how he can in today's "Second Thoughts".