Why the Tribe Has To Win in Seven

If you can believe in momentum -- that magic spirit that predicts the past -- I can believe in karma. This is the karma World Series, where good is triumphing over evil and the tortured will have their suffering eased.

If I'm reading the gods right, the Tribe must triumph in seven, not six or five. Or if it's God, the loving and righteous God who gave us baseball in the first place, surely He, in his infinite wisdom, even more infinite than a pitching change, must want a Series this year that comforts the afflicted most, which is a seven-game variety.

It's the least they, or He, could do, considering the abomination that will be visited upon Americans next Tuesday. 

The Cubs and their long, long-suffering supporters have already tasted victory and redemption. They have won their first pennant and competed in their first World Series in 71 years. There is joy in Chicago radiating across the nation even if they succumb in the championship.

The Indians have been here twice before in recent years and come away empty, most notably in 1997 when the taste of victory was on their tongues before it dribbled off the (Joe) Table. For them to find redemption requires a dogpile and a parade, just like LeBron and crew enjoyed.

So karma favors the Tribe, but why seven games? Here's why:

With Cleveland up 3-1, a quick Indians victory would have swept back the ill winds and extended the hardship of the unfortunate. Getting wiped out of the World Series suggests the Cubs remain lovable losers, which, given this roster and its expectations, is no longer lovable. On the other hand, clawing back with their season in the balance  before the home fans in their cathedral in Game 5, and then again in Game 6 on the road, shows this young squad's toughness, resilience and heart. 

Which sets them up perfectly for the moral victory necessary when they lose Game 7 to the plucky, duct-taped Tribe. The upshot: the suffering is completely erased in Cleveland; and a goodly part of the pain is expunged in Chicago where they can feel good about how they fought when they were down. 

Making America great again. Because of baseball. And karma.

Then it's wait 'til next year for real on the North Side, with a team that will once again enjoy favored status. Good karma all around, thank God.

Or gods, whichever the case may be.

Addendum: Well, there's no such thing as karma. And there's still no such thing as momentum.

Stuff You Notice When Baseball's Back

For Pete's Sake
In 448 plate appearances for St. Louis last season, Pete Kozma slammed a solitary home run. 

During the off-season, the Cardinals signed Jhonny Peralta to replace Kozma at short with a four-year, $55.5 million contract. 

It took Peralta eight plate appearances to match Kozma's home run total. Eight plate appearances later, he'd doubled that total.

Do the Cardinals even know how to do anything wrong?


You're On the Mark, Teixeira
Mark Teixeira is off to a fast start this year. The Yankee first baseman reached the disabled list in just four games with a strained hamstring. Last year he needed 15 games for the hamstring to keep him off the field. That's $45 million right there, Brian Cashman.

Charlie Blackmon Update
The baseball world breathlessly awaits updates on slugging sensation Charlie Blackmon. The Rockies outfielder followed his six-for-six game with a three-for-four performance. Slacker! They were all singles, dropping his slugging percentage 23 points.

Blackmon now paces the NL with a .600 batting average and a .619 OBP. That's half a million dollars right there, Brian Cashman.

#Karma
Ryan Braun has one hit and one walk in 17 plate appearances. According to this report by Richard Justice, a lingering thumb injury is holding him back. Or is that just his conscience?