Are the Cleveland Indians bound to do what the Royals did in 2015?

The 2017 Cleveland Indians have the look and feel of a recent World Series winner in the 2015 Kansas City Royals. Could they be headed for a title?

The 2014 Kansas Royals swept into the World Series only to fall to the San Francisco Giants in seven games by one run. Sound familiar? Those Royals were loaded with a dominant bullpen and advanced stats darlings on offense and defense.

They did not have any huge stars (think Mike Trout). But, the weakest player on their starting roster did not have any glaring weaknesses. Can the Tribe take what the Royals learned in 2014 and apply it in 2017? I think so.

2016 Indians and 2014 Royals

It is truly remarkable how similar these teams are. The 2016 Indians boasted four position players with above a 2.0 WAR; the 2014 Royals boasted five. The 2016 Indians had six pitchers with above a 2.0 WAR for the season, and the 2014 Royals and seven. Corey Kluber‘s WAR was above anyone on the 2014 Royals’ roster. Andrew Miller‘s regular season WAR was below 2.0, so this is another wash.

Going through the playoffs, the Royals went 11-4 and the Indians went 10-5. Mike Trout was the AL MVP both years. Both teams beat “superior” teams in the Divisional Series. The Royals roasted the Angels, and the Indians crushed the Red Sox.

Both teams ran into “teams of destiny” in the World Series, where the Giants were on their even-year streak, and the Indians were up against the cursed Chicago Cubs. It’s a little remarkable how similar the paths that each of these teams took, and it is easy to imagine how Terry Francona stole the Royals’ playbook by making additions that put the Indians in a place to emulate the Royals’ success.

2017 Indians and 2015 Royals

This part is speculation on the part of the Indians, but history does not lie. The 2015 Royals signed Kendrys Morales, a power-hitting DH (Edwin anyone?). They signed Edison Volquez to replace James Shields at the top of their rotation. An aging Alex Rios signed to bolster their outfield depth (sounds a little like Austin Jackson). They had Ben Zobrist, the Tribe killer, as a utility infielder, who was clutch in the right moments throughout the playoffs.

They had a much more challenging time in the playoffs, winning 3-2, 4-2, and 4-1, respectively, but they still won the World Series through good relief pitching and fundamental offense and defense.

Related: 5 reasons Indians will win the World Series

The 2017 Indians look a lot like the 2015 Royals. The Indians lost basically no pitching, while adding a lefty specialist to help Andrew Miller in matchup situations. Edwin Encarnacion arrived to replace Mike Napoli‘s production at 1B/DH. They added a quality, utility outfielder who is looking to make another splash after a few weak seasons in Austin Jackson.

Everyone else is a season older, a season better. And, actually, they are probably adding an All-Star caliber left fielder in Michael Brantley, if he does not turn into Grady Sizemore. The more I sit with it, the more it looks like the 2017 Indians have big things in store, and that they can emulate the 2015 Royals.

Being there matters

The 2017 Indians have been through it. They experienced Rajai Davis‘ 8th inning two-run home run to tie Game 7 of the World Series at home. Michael Martinez, a utility infielder who is going to play a lot, knows what it’s like to be the last out of the World Series. Josh Tomlin and Corey Kluber know what it’s like to start in the playoffs, having to run out with no rest and try to gut it out.

Trevor Bauer knows what it feels like to fail, then redeem himself. The entire Indians lineup went from darlings to savvy vets in the course of October and November of 2016. Adding Encarnacion, Jackson, Brantley, and Gomes to a lineup that destroyed pitching the entire year should be a spectacle.

Francona has been there now three times, with two wins. He’s won over 90 games twice with the Indians in his four seasons, and he has not had a losing managerial record since 2000. He knows better how to manage the starting rotation and bullpen after being a shuffle master last September on.

Next: Brantley Takes Live BP

If the Indians stay healthy (and that’s always a big if), they have a great shot at an AL Central title, an AL Pennant, and a World Series championship.