In his second season as the manager of the Cleveland Indians, Terry Francona has the arrow pointing up when discussing the Indians’ rank in the American League Central division. After winning 92 games in 2014 and reaching the American League Wild Card game, the Indians finished with 85 wins in 2014, five games back of the Detroit Tigers.
But the Indians have been consistent for the last two seasons, competing for the majority season and being in the playoff hunt. Before Francona went to Cleveland, the Indians averaged 70.5 wins in their previous four seasons.
Cleveland’s success starts at the top of rotation, with the emergence of 2014 Al Cy Young Award winner, Corey Kluber. Kluber was 18-9 last season and had a 2.44 ERA in over 235 innings pitched. Michael Brantley enjoyed his personal best season as on offensive player, finished third in the AL MVP vote and making his first All-Star team.
The Indians main offensive acquisition was getting Brandon Moss, who had over 20 home runs the past three seasons (30 in 2013) with the Oakland Athletics. Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall round out the infield, with Yan Gomes behind the dish. Nick Swisher will be the main designed hitter, who will work in a platoon system with Brandon Moss, who plays the same position.
With a strong bullpen, the starting pitching is the biggest question mark heading into the season. Their second starter, Carlos Carrasco, has never pitched over 150 innings in a season, but had a 2.55 ERA in 40 appearances last seasons (14 starts). The Indians will most likely have enough offense to compete within the division, but the season may rest on their starting pitching.
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Francona will have a tough task managing the team’s pitching, but if the rotation is figured out early, Cleveland may be a surprise team to steal the AL Central.
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