Cleveland Indians Falling Back to Earth After Remarkable Start to 2011 Season

The Boston Red Sox didn’t get off to the start they anticipated this season. Neither did the Cleveland Indians.

For the Sox, the panic button broke from being pushed too many times within the first two weeks of the season. The Indians, on the other hand, jumped out to a great start, including a three-game sweep of the Red Sox in early April.

Now, the roles have reversed. The Red Sox started a three-game series Tuesday with Yankees, and with a win in Wednesday night’s matchup, Boston now owns sole possession of first place in the American League east.

The Indians, once the proud owners of a seven-game lead in the American League Central, are now clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers as of Thursday.

Cleveland is just 3-7 in the last 10 games and has dropped 11 of its last 15.

The two teams don’t meet again until a four-game series in August. By then, Cleveland’s panic button could be well beyond breaking point.

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