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Cleveland Indians: 2016 Season Predictions

By Evan Hablitzel

May 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Cleveland Indians baseball hat and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Indians defeated the Rangers 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Cleveland Indians baseball hat and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Indians defeated the Rangers 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Indians
Aug 14, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Will Go As Far As Pitching Takes Them

Evan Hablitzel

The Cleveland Indians made the correct decision to not trade any of their starting pitching. Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber, and Danny Salazar make up a three-headed monster in the Tribe’s rotation.

If Trevor Bauer can find any form of consistency as the fourth starter, we could be looking at a historically great rotation. The fifth starter has not been named yet, but it’ll be Josh Tomlin or Cody Anderson. Not bad options for the tail end of your rotation.

The main concern heading into this season is offense. Do the Cleveland Indians have enough to provide run support for their electrifying rotation? The additions of Mike Napoli, Juan Uribe, Will Venable, and Rajai Davis were cute, but did little to solve the team’s offensive woes.

With that being said, it’s not like we needed to give up a Salazar for a Todd Frazier. I’m not thrilled about the team’s lineup, but quality starting pitching one through five is a weapon few teams possess.

The MLB season is 162 games long, and by all accounts, a grind. There will be highs and lows, but the health of the rotation will be vital to overcoming any adversity. If Salazar, Carrasco, and Kluber make it through the season unscathed, I don’t see any reason this team can’t win 85 to 90 games.

There will be highs and lows, but the health of the rotation will be vital to overcoming any adversity. If Salazar, Carrasco, and Kluber make it through the season unscathed, I don’t see any reason this team can’t win 85 to 90 games.

Next: Indians: Who's Hot, Who's Not In Spring Training

At the end of the day, I say the Tribe goes 85-77 and makes the postseason via the wild card. The defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals will be too much to overcome.

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