Cleveland Indians: What stands out in their 2018 schedule?

Opening day will be here before we know it. Are you ready for Cleveland Indians baseball?

The Cleveland Indians still have plenty of work to do this offseason. Despite the work that still needs attended to, opening day in baseball is something special.

As exciting and intriguing the beginning of a baseball season is, there is so much to evaluate for different reasons prior to the first pitch of the regular season. Whether that is promotional focused or seeing when Cleveland plays a certain team the debut of their schedule is always something to look forward too.

Well, we don’t have to wait any longer! On Wednesday, the Tribe announced their schedule on Twitter and here it is:

When will we see you? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Qq2VQWwV7h
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 10, 2018

While the promotional schedule will be announced later, at least we know when the games are now. Outside of the 12 national games, 161 on WTAM1100, 145 on WMMS, 162 on IRN, and 155 on STO which the Indians also announced above, what else stands out?

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First off, Cleveland starts their season on the road versus the Seattle Mariners on March 29 at 10:30 PM. They will play their first six games before seeing Progressive Field for the first time in 2018. Once there, the Tribe will face off versus the Kansas City Royals at 4:10 PM on April 6.

An early start will be critical for Cleveland. If they don’t win the majority of their games the first month or two, you can already write in pen why: Outfield inconsistencies. Think about it.

Cleveland has one of the best pitching staffs and bullpens in all of MLB. Their infield will be just as good with 3B Jose Ramirez and SS Francisco Lindor leading the way. Meanwhile, the outfield situation has their fair share of questions.

Keep in mind the following stretches of games: May 18-June 3, June 8-June 24, July 6-July 15, and September 14- September 29.

From 5/18-6/3, Cleveland will have a very competitive stretch of games. First they face off versus the defending champs, Houston Astros. They then must go up against the team they lost to in the World Series two seasons ago – the Chicago Cubs before another series against the Astros. Finally on May 28, Cleveland has a series versus the White Sox before finishing up against an up and coming Minnesota Twins organization.

Minnesota did better than many probably believed they would have in 2017. They have the potential to make as serious push in the division in 2018.

From 6/8-6/24, Cleveland faces all of their A.L. Central foes save for the Royals. The divisional games are key. Without setting the tone in their own division, the Indians won’t have as much success as they’d like.

Prior to the 2018 all-star break, games 7/6-7/15 will be at home. That’s pretty convenient as it would give Cleveland momentum heading into the break.

Outside of a three-game series versus the New York Yankees, there is not a series listed during that time where my confidence lessens. Going up against the Oakland A’s, Cincinnati Reds, and then the Yankees in that order should lead to at least a 7-3 record.

Prior to the end of the season, as long as Cleveland’s outfield situation holds up and their bullpen doesn’t miss a beat, baseball fans should be watching the Tribe trying to lock down the best record in the A.L. To do so won’t be easy between 9/14-9/29.

Even if divisional teams are not that good, they are always a challenge because of the rivalries with each matchup. During those dates, Cleveland will face their whole division outside of the Twins, as well as a three-game series versus the talented Boston Red Sox.

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Very soon we will see if Cleveland can start off on the right track and maintain their status as the best in the A.L. Central. With Lindor, J-Ram, Corey Kluber, and others in their prime, they will make sure that happens. I am ready for some baseball, how about you?

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