Will Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis bounce back from injuries? Can Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco make a run at the Cy Young? Will the Indians finally win their third World Series?
These are just a few of the questions grating on the minds of fans as the Tribe begins regular season play tonight in Seattle. Following last year's disappointing ALDS loss to the New York Yankees, the club looks poised for another October to remember, although they will certainly have some stiff competition.
When you check the mood here at WKYC, at least, optimism is running high, with most feeling the Indians will make a deep playoff run.
Here are some predictions from members of our Channel 3 team!
Dave Chudowsky - Sports anchor
Record: 97-65, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"The key for the Indians to win it all is to stay healthy and have the luck on their side. They are loaded with few weaknesses. Francisco Lindor will be in MVP race, Kluber will once again have a great season. Trevor Bauer will have his best season, maybe an All-Star. If Jason Kipnis stays healthy, look for a big season. 40 saves for Allen is my bold prediction! My fear is a little step back for Ramirez, the outfield is a question, and replacing Shaw."
World Series: Indians over Mets
Stephanie Metzger - Digital sports team
Record: 93-69, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"A healthy starting rotation will be key, and a repeat season from Carlos Carrasco could make all the difference. (Or maybe Mike Clevinger will follow in Carrasco’s shoes and craft a big breakout year.) Though there’s some grey area regarding the outfield, the Indians should take the AL Central without much question. It’s impossible to think Houston won’t be a repeat contender in the AL, as it retains a ton of talent. The Yankees have a ton of eyes and expectations given their potent lineup, but there are some potential problems looming within their rotation."
World Series: Indians over Dodgers
Sara Shookman - News anchor
Record: 98-64, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"The key is their pitching staff. They already have 2 AL Cy Young candidates, and now Trevor Bauer is looking good! If Bauer has the breakout season that everyone is hoping for, it could make the Tribe a VERY hard team to beat in a playoff series."
World Series: Indians over Cubs
Tyler Carey - Digital sports team
Record: 97-65, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"Being the paranoid fan that I am, I tried to find every excuse to not pick the Indians to win it all. While I think the addition of Yonder Alonso (along with rejuvenated veterans like Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley) will help fill the void of some of the players lost in free agency, I still feel the Astros' lineup is better one-through-nine. However, I firmly believe that pitching wins championships, and the Tribe's staff (anchored by a two-time Cy Young winner) can match up with any in baseball. When I factor in how difficult it is for any team (even one as good as Houston) to repeat and combine it with Cleveland's motivation following last year's ALDS collapse, I can go ahead and predict a parade down East 9th."
World Series: Indians over Cubs
Betsy Kling - Chief Meteorologist
Record: 97-65, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"There is always a bit of ebb and flow to our Indians seasons. Hopefully the season will get off to a fast start and we will be set up for a hot streak going into the post season. As far as players go, I would look to our usual stars to continue to stand out, like Kluber, Lindor, Miller and Gomes, but hope to see peak performances from Perez, Bauer, Ramirez, Guyer and Chisenhall. Breakout season potential coming up for Alonzo and Zimmer. Michael Brantley may be a wild card."
World Series: Indians over "That other team" (Cubs)
Matt Florjancic - Digital sports team
Record: 92-70, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Win World Series
Analysis:
"Jason Kipnis’ health will be the biggest factor for the team this season. Limited to 90 games in 2017 because of hamstring injuries, Kipnis hit .232 with 78 hits in 336 at-bats with 25 doubles, 12 home runs, 35 RBI and 43 runs scored, but after an offseason of conditioning and agility work, he feels primed and ready to lead the Indians back to the postseason. “I think when I’m healthy, there’s no one better there, and I plan to prove that,” Kipnis told reporters ahead of spring training, where he hit six home runs, drove in 12, scored 12 and registered 18 hits 52 at-bats (.346 average). Kipnis is a lifetime .268 hitter with 201 doubles, 21 triples, 88 home runs, 477 runs scored and 389 RBI in seven years with the Indians."
World Series: Indians over Dodgers
Dave "Dino" DeNatale - Digital sports team
Record: 94-68, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Lose in ALCS
Analysis:
"No question, the Indians have the talent to return to the World Series after a disappointing end to their 2017 season. As long as their starting pitchers stay healthy and Terry Francona can get enough quality work in the bullpen next to Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, I don’t have too many worries about this team. Look for Francisco Lindor to have an MVP caliber season and Carlos Carrasco to be a strong candidate for the Cy Young award."
World Series: Astros over Cubs
Ben Axelrod - Digital sports team
Record: 99-63, 1st in AL Central
Playoff finish: Lose in ALCS
Analysis:
"Having established himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars in just 2 and a half years, I think this is the season Lindor makes the jump to the elite, elite level. The American League field is crowded with the likes of Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and now Giancarlo Stanton, but if he can avoid a mid-season slump like last year, I think Lindor’s unique skill set will be too much for voters to ignore."
World Series: Red Sox over Nationals