Cleveland Indians Struggle Through First Week of the 2012 MLB Season

The Cleveland Indians appeared to be strong through spring training, but the Tribe has limped through the first week of the 2012 season thus far.

Starting pitching has been solid for the most part, but the offense has lacked, failing to support Cleveland by putting runs on the board to help win games.

The Indians have a 1-4 record to start the season with a 10-6 loss today to the Chicago White Sox.

On Tuesday, the Indians were cut a bit of a break with their game against the White Sox being postponed due to the weather. The much-needed break will provide some rest to try to regroup and get the team refocused.

The game will likely have to be rescheduled the next time the White Sox come to Cleveland for a series from May 7-9.

If that is the case, the Indians will be forced to play 21 games in 20 days.

That would be a grueling schedule to play though, but right now is the time the team needs a break to regroup. 

Ubaldo Jimenez had been scheduled to pitch on Saturday after his five-game suspension ends, but he will be pushed back to Sunday because of the postponed game on Tuesday.

Obviously, the season has just begun and it's much too early to think the Indians will completely fall apart. They do have time to turn things around, but once a landslide begins, it can have a disastrous long-term effect.

Cleveland has a great deal of work to do.

The Tribe's offense hasn't shown up yet, although there was some life in the Cleveland bats today. Travis Hafner and Shelley Duncan each hit a home run, breathing a bit of life into the team, but their energy was not enough to bring a win today.

Cleveland's offense must deliver consistently and provide support for pitching. Defensively, they've been strong, although today the team made some costly errors that allowed some runs.

The Indians have some time to work together more cohesively, but as long as the season is, it can go by quickly. 

Cleveland needs to pick it up and get it together.