The Indians Are Finally in First - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

It took a lot longer than expected, but it's starting to look like order has finally been restored to the AL Central. After the first month and a half of the season saw the Twins and White Sox splitting time as division leaders, the two teams who were supposed to win the division, Cleveland and Detroit, were spending their time at the bottom of the division with Kansas City.

Well, although Detroit is still struggling at the bottom, the Indians have finally climbed over everybody and reached first place. Let me say, it's about damn time. Going into today's game against the Oakland Athletics, the Indians had posted four consecutive shutouts, and have won seven of their last eight.

Now the shutout streak isn't going to last forever (and in fact, it's already ended as the Indians currently lead Oakland 3-1), but it's a very good sign for the Indians. While the offense has struggled to score runs, and is currently hitting a league worst .235, the Indians strength is not their lineup. It's the pitching.

Cliff Lee has been the dominant starter for Cleveland all year, but now it appears that C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona are starting to come around, and along with Paul Byrd and the return of a healthy Jake Westbrook, the Indians are poised to have the best rotation in the AL Central.

I also feel that the offense is going to come around at some point, it's too talented not too, and even though today is just their first day back on top of the division, don't be surprised if the Indians hold onto it for the rest of the season.