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MLB: 10 Bold Predictions for the Second Half

By Greg Goldstein

Jul 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) celebrates with starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) on the chest after his one hit shut out complete game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) celebrates with starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) on the chest after his one hit shut out complete game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Rides a Big 4 and a Major Deadline Deal to the Best Record in the AL

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The Cleveland Indians have been perhaps the biggest surprise in all of baseball in the first half of the 2016 season. After finishing last year 81-80 and 13.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central, they now hold a four-game lead in the division and are closing in on the best record in all of the American League.

The Indians rode one of the best rotations in the game to being one of the premier clubs in MLB. Danny Salazar has been the team’s best and most consistent starter, and is one of the favorites to win the AL Cy Young be season’s end. Corey Kluber has had his rough spots, but is still been a very good pitcher for most of the year, Carlos Carrasco is back in the rotation after suffering an early-season injury and Josh Tomlin has been solid as the number five starter.

But the real surprise has been the emergence of Trevor Bauer. The former third overall selection was relegated to the bullpen prior to the start of the season, but has rebounded in a big way. He currently owns a 3.30 ERA, striking out over eight hitters per nine innings, and he will only continue to improve in the second half. Bauer is just 25 years old and is starting to come into his own as you can see by the reduced walk rate and the decreased number of home runs he’s given up. He has the stuff to make the Indians rotation a big four instead of a big three, and he will do just that in the second half.

Cleveland has been skeptical of adding big names at the deadline in the past, but they have a clear need in the outfield and the team to make the front office want to go all in for a World Series run. There are many quality outfielders on the market, such as Jay Bruce, Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Braun and Josh Reddick to name a few. The Indians have the wherewithal to acquire one of these players and will make one of the biggest trades of the deadline, something that they haven’t been keen about doing in the past.

This will all lead to the Indians finishing the season as the best in the American League and a strong World Series contender.

Next: Yankees Trade Chips

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