The season is nearly upon us. As we have done in the past, let's put on our fortune telling glasses and predict how the season will play out for our beloved Tribe.
I think it'll be a relatively easy regular season for the Tribe. I don't think the Central is all that good so the Indians really make hay in division. I'll call for 98-64 with a comfortable margin in the division. Ultimately, the Tribe will fall to one of the AL East powers in the postseason and fail to win the elusive World Series crown.
I will call for a bounce back year from Jason Kipnis. Frankie Lindor has a great year and improves on his .273 average from a year ago but fails to match his 33HR/89 RBI totals from last year.
J Ram 27 homers. 48 doubles. 90 RBIs.
Bradley Zimmer shows more consistency than last year and some flashes of a budding superstar while hitting 20 home runs, driving in 60 runs and stealing 30 bases.
Yonder Alonso makes us wish we still had Carlos Santana. While he may hit the same 25-30 home runs, we realize that Carlos taking 100 walks per year was pretty damn valuable.
It's pretty easy/safe to predict the pitching to be good. I'll go out on a limb and say that after Kluber in game 1 of the playoffs, we will all want Mike 'The Flow' Clevinger to be our #2 over Cookie and Bauer.
I’ll try and give some player predictions later. But for the Tribe W/Lrecord:
103-59. Best record in baseball (on the strength of a shit division). We trade for Machado at the deadline, but have to give up Aiken or Tristan.
Made playoff predictions last 2 years and we still have no ring. So fuck making playoff predictions, lol.
Is the over/under still 95.5? I'd go with the under (95) if I had to be my own money. I think the infield and starting pitching will be stellar, worried about the outfield and early part of the bullpen. I think we win the Central but do not get to the World Series.
I'm hoping to see a more focused team early in the season this year. Coming off the World Series heartbreak in 2016, I think an April 'hangover' was normal but they should be pissed this year.
posted by iclfan2Is the over/under still 95.5? I'd go with the under (95) if I had to be my own money. I think the infield and starting pitching will be stellar, worried about the outfield and early part of the bullpen. I think we win the Central but do not get to the World Series.
As far as the top 6-7 teams that could potentially be in the WS, the Tribe is probably top 3 in defense, starting rotation and bullpen. Offensively, they are probably 7th out of 7.. I'd go with the under but they'll still eclipse 90 games. Agree with them winning the division but not getting to the WS.
As far as predictions:
Clevinger is the breakout guy in the rotation with 15+ wins.
Salazar finally gets traded.
Lindor finishes 2nd in the MVP voting.
Kluber finishes 3rd in the Cy Young voting.
Andrew Miller signs an extension and stays with the Tribe for 2 more years.
Albert Belle escapes jail and is caught crawling naked through the duct work above the visitors dugout stealing Erik Gonzalez' corked bat (37 HR's to date) that was confiscated by the Yankees manager in late August.
posted by BR1986FBAs far as the top 6-7 teams that could potentially be in the WS, the Tribe is probably top 3 in defense, starting rotation and bullpen. Offensively, they are probably 7th out of 7.. I'd go with the under but they'll still eclipse 90 games. Agree with them winning the division but not getting to the WS.
As far as predictions:
Clevinger is the breakout guy in the rotation with 15+ wins.
Salazar finally gets traded.
Lindor finishes 2nd in the MVP voting.
Kluber finishes 3rd in the Cy Young voting.
Andrew Miller signs an extension and stays with the Tribe for 2 more years.
Albert Belle escapes jail and is caught crawling naked through the duct work above the visitors dugout stealing Erik Gonzalez' corked bat (37 HR's to date) that was confiscated by the Yankees manager in late August.
Speaking of Belle... http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22917635/former-mlb-star-albert-belle-arrested-dui-indecent-exposure-charges-arizona
It's all about making the playoffs and being as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. I maintain the playoffs, especially the ALDS are a crap shoot. Great pitching will always give you a chance, and if the Tribe make the playoffs I give them just as much as a shot of making it to the WS as every other team that will be in the playoffs. Last year Kluber picked a terrible time to look human, E5 injured himself, and the entire lineup decided to be a pile of shit. There are a lot of guys in that lineup that have some redeeming to do.
posted by like_thatSpeaking of Belle... http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22917635/former-mlb-star-albert-belle-arrested-dui-indecent-exposure-charges-arizona
vball10set paying it forward 
24771 posts
113 reps
Joined: Nov 2009
8 hours ago...
posted by like_thatSpeaking of Belle... http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22917635/former-mlb-star-albert-belle-arrested-dui-indecent-exposure-charges-arizona
That's why I added that. Apparently, Albert isn't shy about flopping out "Lil Joey" in public places.
101 wins. Go Tribe.
I'm going to go a little more conservative and say 95 wins.
Go Tribe.
posted by like_thatIt's all about making the playoffs and being as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. I maintain the playoffs, especially the ALDS are a crap shoot. Great pitching will always give you a chance, and if the Tribe make the playoffs I give them just as much as a shot of making it to the WS as every other team that will be in the playoffs.
I was going to say something about the playoffs, but like_that pretty much hit on what I feel.
93-69
99-63
92-70
Breakout year for Mike Clevinger. Progressive Field will be renamed CLEV- Land.
91 wins
Lose in the ALCS
Going to say 94 Winz, and a WS title to boot. Sweep
posted by like_that
The numbers are a bit juvenile but good for him for giving some money away. He's an odd duck but he's our duck.
Currently 40 and raining here, not helping the not feeling like Opening Day vibes I have with the Tribe starting at 10 tonight.
