Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Gene J. Puskar/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Gene J. Puskar/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

Indians will lead the AL in runs scored/team ERA

Accoridng to baseball-reference.com, last season the Indians were second in the AL in runs scored (behind the Boston Red Sox by 101 runs). It’s safe to say it will be a rather precipitous climb to catch Boston in that category if they can replicate what they were able to accomplish last season.  In addition, the Indians were second in the AL in team ERA with a 3.84 average.

The Indians made some big-time moves over the course of the last year that will help them claim the top spot in those two statistical categories this time around.

More from Cleveland Guardians

The Indians will be adding Encarnación and Brantley to their lineup this season. Kipnis will be re-inserted into the lineup sometime in May, and talented prospects such as Diaz and Bradley Zimmer (who I expect to be called up in June to play in center field) are expected to make big contributions to the team this season.

I’m also expecting the catcher position to be a lot better at the dish than they were last season, which will aid the offense immensely. Also per baseball-reference.com, Yan Gomes hit .167 in 251 ABs and Roberto Perez hit .183 in 153 ABs in 2016. In 2017, both of them will get back over the Mendoza line and make solid contributions at the plate.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Indians will have a full season of Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, and the most stacked bullpen in all of baseball. Not to mention a fully healthy starting rotation, spearheaded by recurrent Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber along with fellow starters Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin, and renowned drone pilot Trevor Bauer.

Enough said, but I’ll say it anyways: The Indians have a stacked starting rotation and an equally-stacked bullpen that should make life miserable for their opposition almost every single time out. Being able to dominate in all facets of the game will go a long way in making up for last season’s disappointing climax.

Home/Cleveland Guardians