Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Indians Playoffs: What Is The Key To Success?

By Ryan Rosko

Oct 2, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) after defeating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) after defeating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s Bauer, But Playing Tribe Baseball Is A Must Regardless

Evan Hablitzel

The main key for the Cleveland Indians is one man: Trevor Bauer. Similar to a relay in track and field, his first leg in this *potential five game series is crucial.

I have 100 percent confidence in Bauer heading into Thursday’s matchup against the BoSox. Although, there are two versions of Bauer.

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One, my least favorite, is quick to be an (insert expletive) to the media after a poor performance. That same Bauer loses his damn skull if an error is committed.. or god forbid an umpire not giving him a strike on a fastball placed firmly on the back of the plate.

The second version? Well, that’s what I expect at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Bauer is an a****** by nature, but my God is he a gamer. If Bauer has his command and emotions intact, we will win this ballgame. A fine balance between the irrationally temperamental Bauer and the Dali Lama is what we need in game one.

Is Bauer a key for the Indians’ postseason success? That’s rhetorical. Bottom line, we need to play Tribe baseball. I’ll get cliché for a second, against my copy-editing professor’s demands. We need to do the little things. Going first to third on a single. Running the bases aggressively.

We’re down Cookie and Salazar. Sure, that sucks, but Rajai Davis is 35 and led the AL in stolen bases. Jose Ramirez, in any sabermetric geek’s mind, is an MVP candidate. Francisco Lindor is a superstar. Jason Kipnis, although slacking defensively, has put up the best offensive power numbers of his career.

Even freakin’ Josh Tomlin has been lights out in September. Rick Porcello doesn’t scare me. Nor does David Price. Terry Francona also utilizes his platooning of the outfield perfectly.

The Cleveland Indians will win this series in four games. I don’t know if I’ll wager on it, but I definitely hate the Boston Red Sox. Payback for the 2007 ALCS will be quick, stunning, and painful for the Sox. It will be a nice send off for David Ortiz, at least. Party At Napoli’s on Sunday? Now, that would be glorious.

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