Cleveland Indians: Why the All-Star break is so important

The Cleveland Indians have several major questions facing the team right now, which is why the All-Star break couldn’t come at a better time.

The Cleveland Indians (gulp) finally look like the team that will run away with the AL Central and steamroll into the postseason. It took nearly 90 games to get here, but it really feels like the Tribe is back.

Other than Jason Kipnis’ lingering issues, everyone else looks great (or great enough). Let’s examine what the Indians can learn during the All-Star break to set them up for the rest of the season.

Who are the five starters?

Corey Kluber. Carlos Carrasco. Mike Clevinger? Those are the only three that are solidified at this point. I believe in Trevor Bauer and so do the advanced stats. His BABIP is very high, and his FIP is 31st in all of baseball, compared to his ERA, which is 32nd just in the American League.

It’s going to be a toss up of whether Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin, or some unknown trade candidate takes hold of the fifth starter position by the end of the All-Star break.

Just after I wrote that Salazar had a strong outing in Double-A, he got crushed in Triple-A. Salazar is a huge unknown at this point, and there is a good chance that he and Tomlin will be jockeying for the fifth starter spot for the reason of the season. Fortunately, five people do not start in the playoffs (and four rarely do), so this is a long-term moot point.

An MVP candidate on the left side of the infield

Not Frankie! In a turn of events, Jose Ramirez, not Francisco Lindor is the Tribe’s MVP candidate on the left side of the infield. We almost forgot that Jose started the season at second for Kipnis. He’s been that good.

His stats are incredible, and he is doing his best Albert Belle imitation. Home runs, doubles, from both sides of the plate, and solid defense vaults Ramirez to the top of the AL MVP conversation. If he keeps up a .320 average, he will land a few first-place votes.

Related: Lonnie deserving of an extension?

Lindor must crave the competition. Since Ramirez started going off on June 1, Lindor has followed suit, bringing his average back up to a more respectable .252. He still has a long way to go, but he has a .278 July average to build on.

Is the outfield set?

It sure looks like it. Michael Brantley is back to 2014 Michael Brantley. Lonnie Chisenhall keeps playing toward what could be a lucrative contract extension. And prized prospect Bradley Zimmer is lighting it up on defense and playing well enough on offense to enjoy a steady spot in center.

With Abraham Almonte, Brandon Guyer, and Austin Jackson as reserves, the Cleveland Indians look like they might have found the magical combination of outfielders. The only hesitation is putting the rookie in center field in the playoffs.

Lonnie has played there a bunch, and if Zimmer falters at any point, there are a bevy of veterans waiting in the wings for a chance to shine. There’s a really good chance that the Tribe has found its outfield rotation.

What to expect in the second half?

The Indians are seven games over .500 at the All-star break. They could have Francisco Lindor end up batting .280. Edwin Encarnacion is on pace for 35-40 home runs. Jose Ramirez could find 40 doubles and 25 home runs. Corey Kluber might be on his way to a second AL Cy Young award.

Next: 5 best first-round picks in club history

Lastly, Andrew Miller could end up with the highest WAR of any relief pitcher in the majors. The Tribe looks great going into the second half. Here’s to a much-needed rest (for Terry Francona especially) during the All-Star break.