Q. I heard one commentator say that the Cubs could use one more starting pitcher to make it to the World Series. Who do you see becoming available that would fit the bill?
– Stephen Shoemaker, Tulsa, Okla.

A. I also think the Cubs need one more frontline starter to go deep into October, Stephen. We’ll see in the next six-seven weeks if they feel the same way, as the outfield is another area of concern for them, with left fielder Alfonso Soriano out for six weeks and Jim Edmonds getting a shot at solving a problem spot in center field.

As for potentially available quality starting pitchers, it’s still early, but here are a few names that could become available: Joe Blanton, Kevin Millwood, C.C. Sabathia, Vicente Padilla, Gil Meche, Greg Maddux, Livan Hernandez, Chad Gaudin, Freddy Garcia.

Different names undoubtedly will surface closer to the July 31 trade deadline, when teams will have a much better idea than they do at this point about being buyers or sellers. On the list above, Sabathia certainly is the biggest potential difference maker in the playoffs. But for him to be dealt, the Indians will have to give up on their postseason hopes, as well as their chances of re-signing Sabathia this winter, when he can become a free agent.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Cubs make a run at him, or another No. 1-2 type, and I believe they should, as a relatively weak National League is giving them their best shot in years at getting back to the World Series. This is the time to go for it, in my opinion.

Q. Why do the Indians not fire the batting coach when they have the lowest batting average in baseball, and the potential is there?
– Dwaine Bubke, Ida Grove, Iowa

A. The Indians’ offense sure is perplexing, Dwaine — no argument there. Their regular second baseman was hitting under .200 before being sent to the minors. The No. 3 hitter is at .217 and on the disabled list. And their cleanup hitter hasn’t hit a home run yet, after averaging 21 over the last four seasons. As a team, they were last in league in batting average, tied for eighth in runs, ninth in homers, 11th in on-base percentage, and 10th in slugging percentage through Wednesday.

And making matters worse, just look around at the big seasons some ex-Indians are having, including Brandon Phillips, Manny Ramirez, Milton Bradley and Ryan Ludwick. Now, to get to your question — how much of this is the fault of hitting instructor Derek Shelton?

With many of the same hitters in place, the Indians scored 811 runs (5.0 per game) in winning 96 games last season, and 870 runs (5.4 per game) in 2006, Shelton’s first full season after he replaced Eddie Murray in June of 2005. So it’s not as if the offense hasn’t succeeded under Shelton in the past.

Injuries, especially to Travis Hafner, are partly to blame here. But this is one of those team slumps that has gained a life of its own, and has been tough to reverse. It’s the type of slump that often leads to changes — either of the players through a trade or two, or a coach.

Q. This may be a silly question, but one that has had me wondering for years — what’s the difference between the major pitches in a pitcher’s repertoire, particularly the slider and the changeup?
– Andrew Peters, Melbourne, Australia

A. No such thing as a silly question here, Andrew. A breakdown of the basic pitches: There are two types of fastballs, based on grip. A four-seam fastball is thrown with the fingers across the seams at their widest part, and it stays straighter and can be thrown up in the strike zone at times. A two-seam fastball is thrown with the fingers on the seams at their narrowest part, and it tends to sink or move either in or away from hitters.

The changeup is supposed to look exactly like a fastball, but throws off a hitter due to its slower speed — 10 or more miles per hour slower. That is accomplished by a couple of different grips — jamming the ball between the index and middle fingers, in effect a forkball or split-finger pitch. Or by a ‘circle change’ grip — the thumb and index finger form a circle on the side of the ball, which is jammed into the back of the hand, with the other three fingers on top.

Sliders and curveballs differ in speed and the type of break. A slider is more like a fastball, thrown almost as hard and with a tighter, sharper break — often right near home plate. A curveball is thrown slower and often has a much bigger break. I hope that helps.

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