The last few years have revealed that the Tribe have clearly been the best pitching team of the AL, but their lack of offensive production has kept them just outside postseason birth. However, this year, other than the soaring Red Sox, Cleveland has clearly had the best offense in the AL. And, of course, the pitching dominance has remained.
The Indians will enter the playoffs knowing that their #2 guy, Carlos Carrasco, is out for the remainder of the season, Danny Salazar will be pitching a simulated game sometime before the start of the ALDS which will determine his status, and Corey Kluber has a mild quad strain which might deplet his performance, but he should be ready to start game 1. Other than their ace, the Indians have Trevor Bauer, who despite him underperforming lately, has a .600 winning percentage on the season, Josh Tomlin who leads the league in BB/9 at an amazing 1.1, and a young promising top prospect in Mike Clevinger to fill out the rest of the rotation or act as long relievers. But, as KC proved the last two seasons, the bullpen wins championships; and Cleveland sure has a good pen, especially since the arrival of Andrew Miller to compliment closer, Cody Allen. The Indians’ pen has blown only 11 saves (lowest in all MLB). Other than those two elite relievers, the Indians have veterans Bryan Shaw and Zach McAllister along with young power arm, Dan Otero. Yes, lacking Salazar and Carrasco may hurt, but the abundance of available pitchers, will certainly help their chances, along with a supporting offense.
What the offense has been able to do this year is amazing considering the fact that their star Michael Brantley has been out practically the entire season. The unexpected superior help from guys like Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez, and Tyler Naquin may be the main reasons for Cleveland’s success. However, the emergence of superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor has been the glue to this offense. The biggest worries for Cleveland going into the postseason has been whether or not these unexpected bats can keep up their performance against the best arms in the AL under the playoff pressure. Considering that just about everyone in the lineup have had breakout seasons, if just half show up the way they have been playing, then the Indians should have a good shot at the winning the AL. With Lindor continuing to be brilliant, the pitching staff having a SO/9 of 8.6 going against power bats like the Red Sox, and Terry Francona having the experience he has as one of the best managers in the game including knowing the first round opponent well, the Indians have a legitimate shot at the AL Pennant.
