Who needs pitching?

The Baltimore Orioles can't wait to get Wei-Yin Chen
back into their rotation, which ranks next-to-last in team ERA.
Courtesy of wikipedia.com

The Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles are proving that you don't need a stellar pitching staff in order to contend in the American League -- at least, in the first half of the season.

The Indians moved into a half-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central standings following their 4-0 win over Chicago and the Tigers' 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay Sunday. By the way, Cleveland's shutout was its 10th of the season for a pitching staff that ranks 27th in the majors with a 4.29 ERA.

Meanwhile, Baltimore has ascended to second place in the AL East while ranking next-to-last in team ERA (4.44). The Orioles gave themselves a boost by trading for Chicago Cubs' pitcher Scott Feldman Monday, but that doesn't help their bullpen issues, where four out of six relievers are carrying earned run averages over 3.50 including closer Jim Johnson (3.92 ERA).

Of course, what's helped both teams is that they possess potent offenses. Baltimore ranks first in home runs (116), second in runs scored (412) and fourth in team batting average (.271), while Cleveland is tied with St. Louis for fourth in runs scored (402) and ranks fifth in doubles (160). Putting up numbers like those can easily offset any pitching deficiencies.

However, the hallmark of any great team is being able to hit and pitch well (fielding well helps, too). Baltimore and Cleveland have not yet shown the ability to do both. Perhaps Baltimore's pitching can improve once Wei-Yin Chen (3-3, 3.03 ERA) returns from the disabled list and their bullpen stops bleeding runs, but Cleveland needs to make some moves to become more consistent on the mound. The Indians may have 10 shutouts this season, but that 4.29 ERA says they have had some disasters in between. Ubaldo Jimenez (6-4, 4.63 ERA), Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.83 ERA) and Corey Kluber (6-5, 4.33 ERA) haven't helped that number.

Ultimately, I believe Baltimore will sort out its pitching problems long before Cleveland straightens out its staff. That will keep the Orioles competitive in the AL East, while the Indians will fade -- that is, unless Cleveland makes some trades soon.