Last year, the Cleveland Indians took the league-favorite Chicago Cubs to extra innings of game 7 of the World Series. The Indians, without silver slugger Michael Brantley and two ace pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, were not even predicted to win the first round of the playoffs. Making it all the way to the World Series with several players on the DL proved how much fight the Indians had in them. After the heartbreaking loss of game 7, the Indians are more armed and dangerous than ever before.
Over the summer, the Indians were eager to improve their lineup and obtained one of the biggest free agents on the market -- Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays. In his 2016 season, the three-time AL all-star batted .263 with a staggering 42 home runs and 127 RBIs. Encarnacion was a huge grab for the Indians, and would soon be a dangerous threat in the lineup. Batting alongside power hitters 1B/DH Carlos Santana, SS Francisco Lindor and infielder Jose Ramirez, this team definitely has the opportunity to win 90-100 games this season.
However, the slugging isn't the only exciting part about this team. The Indians bullpen is equally menacing with Cy Young award-winner Corey Kluber and a healthy Carrasco and Salazar. Kluber pitched 32 games last season with an ERA of 3.14 and 227 strikeouts. In addition, closers Cody Allen and strikeout machine Andrew Miller were incredibly effective in the 2016 postseason. In 74.1 IP last season, Miller pitched an ERA of 1.45 with 123 strikeouts while going 10-1.
It is no secret that the Indians are hungry for revenge in 2017, and their season is already off to an incredible start. In their first three games against the Texas Rangers, in which they are 3-0, the Indians scored 21 runs (eight of which came in the 9th inning of two games to steal the lead). Fransisco Lindor had a two-home run game, one of which being the go-ahead grand slam in the 9th inning to put the Indians on top. Encarnacion, in his regular season debut for the Indians, had two hits including a solo home run in the 8th inning.
The amount of potential for this 2017 Indians team is overwhelming. They have the opportunity to make another deep postseason run because they have unfinished business. This is a team that has such raw talent - young and old - and they play with the same heart and soul as if it's their first baseball game. Their energy, eagerness to have fun, and their positive attitudes radiate out to the fans who want to see them succeed just as much as they do. They know that the fans are the lifeblood of the organization and they will make us very proud.
Cleveland truly is a special place filled with the best fans in the country, so let's get excited for one of the best baseball seasons we may ever see. So buckle up, Cleveland, because it's going to be one wild ride.
