Web Round Up: Hafner Still Finding the Zone

Anthony Castrovince discusses Travis Hafner’s early struggles. Although he isn’t really struggling, he just is striking out a lot.

“I need to do a better job controlling the strike zone,” Hafner said before Sunday’s series finale against the A’s. “I’m just swinging at some pitches out of the zone that I normally don’t swing at. That’s kind of getting me behind in the count.” – (Indians.com)

The difference between this year and last year is his swing and his impatience. Last year his swing was not up to par and he was growing impatient with the way pitchers were pitching to him. This year he is just swinging garbage.

The other thing is he is hitting the ball and doing what he has to get hits. He isn’t trying to pull everything like he was last year.

He is just getting used to regular time baseball. It’s common for people early in the season.

Armando Camacaro is a 29 year old catcher at Kinston. He has no future in the big leagues but he certainly is making his stay worth it. Camacaro had seven RBI including a grand slam on his birthday!

“I was thinking I’m going to pick one pitch and hit it deep,” Camacaro said. “I was close.” – (MILB.com)

I guess Jim Rome’s TV show provides you a little karma… I don’t really know why but whatever. Ryan Garko isn’t cashing in his karma right now. Eat your heart out Earl Hickey.

“So why not pop in on the program to get a little of what Rome refers to as “Jungle Karma” — i.e., the good fortune on the field that seems to follow those who appear on the show?

“I’ll go in later in the season,” Garko said. “I want to save the karma for when we need it.”- (Indians.com)

The latest Indians’ Mailbag is up. Anthony fields some great questions, including ones about Cabrera and his stolen base potential. For the record he didn’t run much last year and probably won’t this year. But even though he isn’t fast, he can steal bases and I’d like to see him doing that more when he hits in the 7th hole.

“Eric Wedge believes Cabrera will eventually be an asset on the basepaths. But, at this stage of the game, that’s about the last thing the Indians are concerned with when it comes to Cabrera’s progression. For now, they want him focused on his defense and maintaining his offensive approach at both sides of the plate.” – (Indians.com)

Eric Wedge says Victor Martinez could be in the lineup tonight.

“Victor ran around out here real well this morning,” said Wedge. “We’ll bring Victor out early Monday and let him run the bases. If he feels all right, he’ll be in the lineup that night.” – (Plain Dealer)

Here is a series preview from Paul Hoynes at the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Lost Weekend — Almost by Gary Benz of the Cleveland Fan.

“Well, at least they avoided the sweep. But no one outside of Cleveland Indians announcer Matt Underwood actually believes, as Underwood said after the final out Sunday, that all is once again well with the Indians.” – (Cleveland Fan)