MLB Win Totals 2021: Predicting AL Central Over Unders

By Travis Koch | Mar 9, 2021

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox is greeted by Tim Anderson #7 after he hit a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the third inning of Game One of the American League wild card series at RingCentral Coliseum on September 29, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

MLB Win Totals 2021: Cleveland Indians

Over/Under 81.5 wins

Prediction: Under

As if the Indians can’t miss Francisco Lindor anymore than they already do; wait until they try to hit the baseball this season.

Cleveland hit the 19th-most home runs in MLB last year, and the guys that ranked third and fourth on the team in homers are now playing elsewhere. They expect free-agent signee Eddie Rosario to help Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes in the power department, though there isn’t much hope beyond those three hitters.

The only way to balance vastly inferior offense is with vastly superior pitching. Getting 30 starts from 2020 Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber is a start. Bieber will have to be nothing shy of spectacular once again in 2021 if he wants his Indians to return to the postseason.

The Indians’ remaining rotation candidates are talented; though, none of them have thrown more than 115 innings in a major league season. With durability being extra vital following a 60-game output, Cleveland may run into issues come July or August.

Their deep bullpen will come in handy on numerous occasions, but it can only bailout a low-scoring offense so many times. Take the under 81.5 wins for the Cleveland Indians. Call it a season if they decide to trade their new best player, Jose Ramirez, by the deadline.

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