2018 ALDS: 5 reasons the Cleveland Indians will upset the Houston Astros

A lineup like never seen before

If the Indians don’t hit, the onus falls squarely on the players because the Tribe’s lineup is packed.

Francisco Lindor is batting .279 with 39 homers and 90 RBIs. Jose Ramirez is in a bit of a slump, but the overall big picture shows a season in which he was a legitimate MVP candidate.

He’s batting .270 with 38 homers and 105 RBIs. He’s batting .163 since moving to second base and .224 since the All-Star break.

Edwin Encarnacion drove in 100 runs. Michael Brantley has the fifth best batting average in the AL (.309).

Josh Donaldson is X-Factor. The newly acquired third baseman is capable of altering a game with one swing of the bat.  He’s a right-handed stick who’s going to need to come up huge, especially when Houston starts lefty Dallas Keuchel.

Yonder Alonso has come as advertised. He’s batting .250 with 23 homers and 82 RBIs. He’s not the switch hitter Santana was, but his numbers aren’t far off from what Carlos used to produce.

Even Yan Gomes is quietly putting together a decent season at the plate with 16 homes (.761 OPS).  Melky Cabrera is stiff arming father time, batting .284 in his last 30 games.

There is no excuse for the Tribe. The lineup can trade blows with the Astros talented lineup, who like the Indians, will also be facing excellent starting pitching.