Cleveland Indians Hope to Emulate Cavaliers In 2016
By Ron Juckett
Following the success of the NBA’s Cavaliers, winning the city’s first title since 1964, the Cleveland Indians have their own championship plan brewing.
There is another team in Northern Ohio capable of winning a championship this year: the Cleveland Indians.
As the city recovers from their wonderful hangover following the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ stunning comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals—and winning two elimination games on the road is no small task—the Indians are in a sweet position themselves.
Perched three games in front of the defending champion Kansas City Royals in the American League Central, the Indians possess a starting rotation built for October. Do not let Corey Kluber’s 7-7 record fool you. His ERA of 3.59 translates to an Adjusted ERA+ of 126. Kluber also has fanned 103 in 15 starts, tossing two shutouts. Josh Tomlin strikes out 7.57 hitters for every one he walks. Danny Salazar averages 10.7 strikeouts per nine. Trevor Bauer has made the change from reliever to starter and sports a 3.20 ERA to boot. If you need four guys to shut down an offense come October, you would be hard pressed to find a better set in the AL.
If the Indians have a weakness, it is at the plate.
Still, with a slash line of .257/.322/.422, Cleveland has an average AL offense. Carlos Santana has found his footing as a designated hitter, powering 15 homers and tied with Mike Napoli for the team lead. Francisco Lindor is a shortstop with the makings of a superstar. At 35, Rajai Davis has still swiped 21 bases. The offense is not as powerful as the Toronto Blue Jays or as focused as the Boston Red Sox, but they can produce and are consistent.
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If Cleveland wins the division, it will be their first since 2007. Once a powerhouse in the 1990s, Cleveland fans well know of their two World Series trips finishing short in 1995 and 1997. It has been 69 years since their last championship, a six-game victory over the Boston Braves in 1948. Playing second fiddle to the New York Yankees for the next decade, and upset by the New York Giants in the 1954 World Series in four straight, the Tribe fell behind the NFL’s Cleveland Browns in popularity and success.
With Terry Francona at the helm, who guided Cleveland to the AL Wild Card Game during his first season in 2013, Indians fans could not have a better manager down the stretch. With the Red Sox, it was Francona who steered their improbable comeback in 2004 against the Yankees. A player’s manager to a fault, he has mastered the ability to get the most of his players daily.
As with any contending team, Cleveland wants another bullpen arm or two. Yet Cody Allen has 14 saves and has struck out 38 batters in 30.2 innings. Outside of Brian Shaw and his 5.14 ERA, the Indians hold their own. Dan Otero sports an ERA under one at 0.98. Zach McAllister and Jeff Manship rarely pitch full innings during their appearances. What they need, however, is a left-hander. You need that flexibility come October.
Although the Indians are not as good of a story as Akron’s LeBron James, Cleveland is rolling at home, winning 11 straight, and is in control of their own fate.
Next: Rangers Looking for Early Move?
Outside of the Texas Rangers cruising toward another AL West title, the Indians are the second-best team in the league. If the Cavs can do it, why not the Tribe?