Here we go again, Tribe fans!
The Cleveland Indians will resume their quest for their first World Series crown in 70 years on Friday in Houston when they open the American League Division Series against the Astros.
This is not going to be an easy road for Terry Francona's team. First, they have to go through the defending world champions, who look every bit as good this fall as they did a season ago. Then, they'll have to deal with either the Red Sox or the Yankees in the ALCS, before finally getting back to the Fall Classic.
ALSO | Start times announced for all Cleveland Indians-Houston Astros American League Division Series games
It's not going to be easy, but I think they can do it.
Here's what I know for sure: There's no way in the world the Tribe can upset the Astros, let alone make a run for a championship, without top-level play from their top-notch players.
I'm looking at you, Corey Kluber
The Tribe's ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner is coming off of his first career 20-win season. He's been heathy for the most part and the Indians were very conscientious with how they used him down the stretch after clinching the AL Central crown.
This, of course, was not the case last fall.
I'm convinced that Kluber was nowhere near healthy when he took the mound in Games 2 and 5 against the Yankees in the ALDS. The evidence? He allowed 9 runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings, including four home runs.
Look, I know Judge, Sanchez, Gregorius and company are good. But not that good.
Since last October, there's been some revisionist history about Kluber's performances in big games and questions about his ability to deliver when it really matters. He can pitch well against the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox, but what happens when he has to face a real lineup? Stuff like that.
Let's review, shall we?
In the 2016 postseason, Cy Kluber pitched seven scoreless innings against Boston in Game 1 of the ALDS as the Tribe went on to sweep the Sox. He then beat Toronto in Game 1 of the ALCS with six more shutout innings, before losing to the Jays in Game 4 (He only allowed two runs on four hits). Kluber then won Game 1 of the World Series against the Cubs, came back on three days rest to win Game 4, before finally running out of gas in Game 7.
Among his 20 wins this year: Boston, Milwaukee, and Houston. All playoff teams.
The guy is good. Very good.
And there's no reason why we shouldn't expect that starting Friday.
Over to you, Francisco Lindor
Lindor provided one of the biggest moments of all of 2017, including the American League-record 22 game win streak, when he hit a grand slam in Game 2 of the ALDS to help the Tribe rally to beat the Yankees and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
After that? Crickets.
Lindor was just 2 for 18 in the ALDS and struck out six times. You have to believe that he'll do better this time around. Frankie hit .310 during the 2016 postseason, so clearly the spotlight isn't too big for him.
There are a lot of powerful hitters in the Tribe's lineup. But Lindor is the tone-setter. The rest of the team will follow his lead if he can get things going.
And finally, paging Jose Ramirez
There's so much to love about the way Jose Ramirez plays the game. Like Lindor, the smile is permeated across his face throughout the course of nine innings. He's versatile, he hustles, and has a great aptitude for the sport.
Ramirez looked like he was going to be nothing more than a good utility player when he first came to Cleveland in 2013. Two years later, he hit a measly .219 in 97 games with the Tribe. There was no indication whatsoever that this would be a guy to be in the conversation for Most Valuable Player. None.
But here we are.
Jose is coming off of a monster regular season in which he hit 39 homers, drove in 105 runs, and stole 34 bases. He probably won't win the AL MVP award, but he should be in the top 3 once again.
Here's the problem: Ramirez is mired in a slump. Big time.
Jose hit just .185 (17-for-92) in the month of September with 2 HR and 12 RBI.
The other problem: We remember last October's struggles for Ramirez, as he managed just two hits in 20 ALDS at-bats against New York.
He has to find the stroke that has made him one of baseball's best power hitters. Like right now.
Let's be clear, these aren't the only three players on the Indians that must produce for them to be successful in the playoffs. We can lump Carlos Carrasco, Andrew Miller, Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Brantley, Trevor Bauer, Yan Gomes, Brad Hand, and Mike Clevinger into the discussion.
We can point out that this would be a great time for Josh Donaldson to show the form that made him the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2015.
We can add that to survive in the playoffs, the wisdom of Terry Francona will definitely be key for the Indians.
But when the smoke clears and the roof closes at Minute Maid Park to open the ALDS, the most important thing for the Cleveland Indians will be having their star players shining. If that happens, they can truly make this an October to remember, as play-by-play announcer Tom Hamilton would say.
However, If the stars go blue for another fall, there will again be no dancing for the Indians down East 9th Street.