Cleveland Indians: 5 Ways the Tribe Can Still Win the AL Central

After a blistering, and completely unexpected, 30-15 start to the season, the Cleveland Indians have cooled off as of late.Since that start, the Tribe is just 26-41 in its last 67 games. That comes out to a .388 winning percentage. Needless to say, they are not currently playing at a level that could translate into an AL Central title.

However, they are still only 4 games out of the division lead. The Indians also have 38 remaining games against AL Central opponents. They are right in the thick of things and have every opportunity to get on another hot streak. Here are five ways the Indians can come out on top in the evenly-matched AL Central Division.

No. 5: Resurgence of the Bullpen

One of the Indian's greatest strengths throughout most of the season has been their bullpen. If they were given a lead, the bullpen could be relied upon to hold that lead and earn another victory for the Tribe. Despite still being the fifth-best bullpen in the American League, there have been several recent games in which the bullpen blew the lead. Even Joe Smith, who seemed untouchable for most of this season has been touched up for some game-changing runs.

If the Tribe expects to make a push for the AL Central crown, a resurgence of the bullpen will be necessary. Chris Perez will need to get back to his dominant self in the closer role, Vinnie Pestano will have to continue his great rookie season, the lefties, Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp, need to crack down on left-handed batters once again and the bullpen as a whole needs to get back to what it was doing earlier in the season. Opposing teams need to feel that hopelessness and despair when they are faced with trying to score off the Tribe bullpen.

The self-imposed nickname of the "Bullpen Mafia" really fit the bill as the Indians relief pitchers imposed fear in the opposition. The Tribe bullpen must regain the attitude that earned them that nickname in the first place. 

No. 4: Continued Improvement of the Rookies

The Indians current lineup often features three rookies on any given night. Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Ezequiel Carrera have been called upon to provide a spark that the Tribe's lineup has sorely lacked since Grady Sizemore and Shin Soo Choo have been injured or slumping for most of the season.

Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indian's future at third base, has been a regular in the lineup since his call-up at the end of June. Considered to be one of the Indian's top prospects, Chisenhall has not seemed overwhelmed during his first stint in the Major Leagues. He has held his own both offensively and defensively. His continued improvement is imperative if the Tribe plans to challenge Detroit for the AL Central lead.

Jason Kipnis, the Indian's future at second base, was called up on July 21st to split playing time with Orlando Cabrera. He really saw his playing time increase when the Tribe dealt Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants. Although he struggled a bit offensively when he was first called up, manager Manny Acta showed confidence in his rookie and inserted him into the two-hole in the Indian's lineup. That vote of confidence has really seemed to do Kipnis well. He even became the first player in MLB history to hit a home run in four straight games within two weeks of being promoted to the Majors. It is exactly that kind of spark that the Indians need heading into the stretch run.

Ezequiel Carrera, who projects a fourth outfielder for the Indians, has contributed to the Tribe in a number of ways. His speed, which is one of his best tools, has really created a spark at the bottom of the lineup. In fact, his first ever hit in the Major Leagues was a drag bunt that scored the winning run against the Cincinnati Reds in a game on May 20th. As long as Grady Sizemore is injured, Carrera's speed will be essential to the Tribe going forward this season.

No. 3: The Return of Shin Soo Choo

Although mired in a slump and struggling with personal issues for most of the season, right fielder Shin Soo Choo was still a cornerstone in the middle of the Indian's lineup. He was finally starting to hit before he was hit on the thumb by a Jonathan Sanchez pitch on June 24th in San Francisco.

Tribe fans hope to see the Shin Soo Choo of 2010 when he returns to the lineup in the next couple of weeks. They want to see, and the Tribe needs to see, Choo return to his All-Star caliber of play. When healthy, Choo is one of the most dangerous hitters in the Tribe lineup. He can also affect the outcomes of games with his stellar defense and cannon-like arm.

For the Indians to continue entertaining thoughts of making the postseason, the return of Shin Soo Choo is vitally important. The Tribe, who failed to acquire the power bat they were looking for before the non-waiver trading deadline, are hoping that Choo can get hot upon his return to the team in the near future. If he does that, then the Tribe's chances of winning the AL Central will greatly improve.

No. 2: A High-Level of Play from the New Guys

The Indians, in a show that they are ready to win this season, made a blockbuster trade for the Colorado Rockie's ace Ubaldo Jimenez. In doing so, they traded their two best pitching prospects as well as two other minor-league players and acquired a dominant right-hander for their already strong rotation. The Tribe also acquired Chicago Cubs right fielder Kosuke Fukodome.

Both of these trades have the chance to directly affect the outcome of this season for the Indians. Poor play from these two new players will do nothing for both the Indian's record and the fan's confidence in the team. The addition of Jimenez and Fukudome has significantly raised the talent level of the Indians.

Fukudome has the ability to get on base and drive in runs, which are both things that the Indian's have desperately needed for a couple of months. He also plays great defense and is another veteran presence in the clubhouse.

Jimenez, with his overpowering fastball and hard-biting breaking ball, is a true ace in the Indian's starting rotation. He has the ability to dominate games and give his team a great chance of winning every time he toes the rubber. Having a pitcher of Jimenez's quality could prove to be the difference-maker for the Tribe in the AL Central.

If Jimenez and Fukudome can play to the level at which they are capable of playing, the Tribe can still be a team to reckon with in the division and maybe even into the postseason.

No. 1: Solid Play Within the Division

Of their 50 remaining games, the Cleveland Indians face off with AL Central Division opponents 38 more times. This gives them plenty of time to make up the four game deficit that they are currently facing. 12 of those 38 Central Division games are against the front-running Detroit Tigers.

At this point in the season, the Indians are 16-18 in games against other teams in the Central Division. If the Tribe wants to challenge Detroit, they will have to play a little better than that in those remaining 38 inter-division games. The Tribe needs to focus on winning series and playing solid fundamental baseball.

Cleveland has the talent capable of winning the lackluster AL Central. Not trying to play beyond themselves will go a long way towards a winning record in the last 50 games of this season. If they can get back to the style of play that brought them this far and play solid baseball against their AL Central division rivals, then the Tribe has a great chance of tasting the postseason for the first time since 2007. It should be an interesting ride in the AL Central during these last two months of regular season baseball.