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Cleveland Indians: Four Predictions For The 2017 Season

By Dylan Haines

Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The grounds crew work on the field prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The grounds crew work on the field prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) slaps hands with Cleveland Indians left fielder Brandon Guyer (6) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) slaps hands with Cleveland Indians left fielder Brandon Guyer (6) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indians will win 100 games

This isn’t really a bold prediction, considering the amount of talent on this team, but winning 100 games is a big deal in Major League Baseball.

According to baseball-reference.com, dating back to 2005, only six teams have managed to win 100 games in a single season, the last of which being the Chicago Cubs from last season.

The Indians won 94 games last season, but this team is much improved from last season. Encarnación replaces Mike Napoli at first base (a rather large upgrade). Brantley is back and presumably healthy, the starting rotation is fully healthy and ready to go, and the team will get a full season from a bullpen featuring Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.

That bullpen duo will almost assuredly increase their chances of holding onto leads late in games the Indians should win and keep them close in games they probably shouldn’t.

Jason Kipnis being out to start the season will hurt, but luckily the Indians organization is loaded with quality infield depth. Most notably and recently, the Indians chose to promote the star of spring training, Yandy Diaz, to the 25-man roster to start the season.

If this team stays relatively healthy throughout the season, and also considering the AL Central is noticeably weaker, it’s hard to imagine the Indians not reaching triple figures in the win column in 2017.

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