The surprising Cleveland Indians are only going to have two players represent them in the All-Star Game next week. 25-year old switch-hitting Asdrubal Cabrera has been selected as a reserve as he lost the popularity contest with Derek Jeter despite having a much better season so far. Cabrera has played in 83 games for the Indians so far this year and he is 100 for 341 (.293 avg, .841 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. 26-year old righty closer Chris Perez has been solid this year for the Tribe. Perez has pitched in 34 games (0 starts) for the Indians this year and he is 2-3 with 20 saves, a 2.30 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has only given up 22 hits in his first 31 1/3 innings this year, but he sometimes gets into a little trouble as he has walked 15 batters this year.

The Indians have the best bullpen in the major league leagues right now, bar none. That is a big reason for the surprise season they are turning in, because of the quality depth they have in the pen. It starts with 27-year old righty sidearmer Joe Smith, who is usually the first reliever in. Smith has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Indians so far this year and he is 2-1 with a 0.99 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. 26-year old righty Vinnie Pestano (sounds like a hit man from Goodfellas) has also been outstanding for the Indians so far this year. Pestano has pitched in 33 games (0 starts) for the Tribe so far this year and he is 1-0 with 1 save, a 1.47 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Pestano has only given up 16 hits this year while whiffing 43 batters in only 30 2/3 innings, and that shows just how dominant he has been this year. The Indians also have a pair of very solid lefty relievers in 29-year old Rafael Perez and 27-year old Tony Sipp. Perez has pitched in 37 games (0 starts) for the Indians so far this year and he is 3-1 with a 1.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Sipp has pitched in 37 games (0 starts) and he is 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Sipp has only given up 19 hits in his first 34 innings this year, as he is nasty. Smith, Pestano, Rafael Perez and Sipp set things up for 25-year old righty closer Chris Perez. Chris Perez has pitched in 33 games (0 starts) for the Indians so far this year and he is 2-3 with 19 saves, a 2.37 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The Indians need the bullpen to keep up the outstanding work if they are going to win the American League Central in 2011.

29-year old lefty reliever Rafael Perez and 27-year old lefty reliever Tony Sipp have been outstanding for the Indians so far this year. Perez has pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Indians so far this year and he is 2-1 with a 1.20 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He has only given up 10 hits in his first 15 innings this year, which is outstanding. Tony Sipp has pitched in 19 games (0 starts) for the Tribe so far this year and he is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. Sipp has only allowed 10 hits in 19 2/3 innings this year for the Tribe. Perez and Sipp have been getting the leads to closer Chris Perez as they are doing a great job and the Indians hope they keep up the great work.

27-year old righty starting pitcher was a mess on Opening Day against the White Sox as he was the losing pitcher after giving up 10 earned runs in only 3 innings! Since Opening Day, Carmona has been outstanding for the Indians. In his last 7 starts, Carmona is 3-2 with a 2.22 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He has pitched in 8 games (all starts) overall this year and he is 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Carmona has really turned things around in his career since Manny Acta took over as the Indians’ manager. In his last two years, Carmona has pitched in 41 games (all starts) in which he is 16-17 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

28-year old lefty reliever Rafael Perez has been throwing seeds for the Cleveland Indians so far this year. Perez has pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Indians this season and he is 2-1 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He has only given up 6 hits in his first 11 innings this year which shows just how nasty his stuff has been. His slider is breaking some much that it’s looking like a wiffle ball. Perez has been a big part of the Indians’ success this year as he has been nails as the set-up man. The Tribe needs him to keep up the good work.