Tigers @ Indians, 6/3/07

It's 5-2 in the top of the 5th, bases loaded, no outs, Mastny on the mound.

I'd like to point something out.

Part of why Mastny (up until this weekend, evidently) has been successful has been attributed to the work he got last year. And I think that makes sense. Anyone happen to remember what Mastny did last year?

He was the closer.

Which begs the question: why are they having him do long relief when it's clear it's not something he's any good at?

Proof: It's now 7-2.

Answer: we don't HAVE anyone who can do long relief. We've got no middle inning relievers, which becomes a big problem with anyone other than C.C., Fausto, or Byrd are pitching (C.C. and Fausto average just shy of 7 innings every time, Byrd averages just shy of 6 and 2/3).

While I won't rule out an epic comeback today, even if we take 3 of these four games this series has truly shown our Achilles' heal as a team. Hell, yesterday was a cruel reminder of how bad our infield can be (and how they all seem to feed on each other and fall apart together). I have great faith in our infield than I do in our bullpen.

And there's this:

Dear Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers, Jake Westbrook and (possibly) Adam Miller,

We need one of you to step up. I'm fine with an adequate 5th starter. I'm not fine with a 4th starter who gives up six runs a game. Sure, we could win the division with a .600 record, but that would require us to win every single time our top three guys pitch, and that's unrealistic. We just need ONE of you to step up. Just one.

Here's a crazy theory for when Westbrook returns and Miller is pitching regularly in Buffalo again (assuming he's got the same stuff). Even though Westbrook has bullpen experience, they'd never put a guy they're paying $11 million in the bullpen. But what about Lee? Send Sowers to Buffalo, put Westbrook at #4, give Miller a shot at #5, and move Lee to the long relief spot we're missing.

What would be the harm?

Because I feel like crazy ideas are the only kind we have these days.