Since the hiring of Terry Francona, the Indians have had stellar pitching, but the lack of offense has kept them from advancing deep into the postseason. Slightly above .500 has been just about the story every year for the Tribe, but 2016 may seem to be different. Since the return of star, Michael Brantley, on Tuesday night, the Indians have won 4 in a row, propelling their record from 10-12 to 14-12. The Tribe has a solid lineup without their left field hitting machine, but with him in the lineup, the Indians sure look like a championship squad, even if Brantley is not hitting well himself.
The Tribe have crossed home plate 27 times in the 4 games since Brantley’s return. Not only has the offensive increase obviously benefited the run production, but it has also positively affected the team’s pitching performance, as in those 4 ball games, the Indians have only allowed 8 runs to score. Before the emergence of Francisco Lindor in 2015, the Indians had a decent offense with Brantley at the helm, but now, with Lindor, it certainly helps to spell playoffs. However, without Brantley, Lindor is basically the replacement, so imagine the lineup with both of them; obviously it has brought Cleveland to the next level, proof of their 4-game streak. Not only is Michael Brantley one of the most underrated players in the majors, hitting .303 since 2012, notching 45 doubles back-to-back seasons, and producing double digits in homers and stolen bases, but he comes across as a selfless teammate who is a quiet leader, which turns the team chemistry into championship caliber.
The team as a whole has been on a role since Michael’s return, but individually, players such as Corey Kluber, who had a rough start to the 2016 campaign, are starting to turn it around. As baseball has proven time and time again, a single superstar can’t propel his team to the Series on his own back, it’s a team effort, and chemistry plays a huge part, as KC is great evidence of that. Sure Michael Brantley can put the team on his back for a game here and there, but he is no Albert Belle producing numbers in the stratosphere; what Brantley’s presence does for the team is why he has that IT factor. The baseball world shouldn’t find it shocking if the Tribe came out on top of the AL Central, as Brantley is the Cleveland franchise for now.
