How the Cleveland Indians stack up against top AL competition

Houston Astros

The Indians didn’t have any problems handling the 2017 World Series champions. The Indians ran into the Astros early in 2017 when they were taking the league by storm. The Tribe managed to slow them down by taking two of three at home against them. Dallas Keuchel was the only Astros pitcher to beat the Tribe last season.

The Indians then went into Houston and stunned the league leading Astros outscoring them by a combined total of 16-9 in three games.

None of that should short-sell the Houston Astros. They are the defending champions for a reason. They have a rotation that can give any lineup problems. They proved that in the postseason.

The reigning AL MVP is also in their lineup. And we can’t forget the how they managed to take it to the Dodgers bullpen in the World Series.

On paper the Indians and the Astros lineups are pretty even. But again, the Indians rotation has an advantage over any team.

The Tribe bullpen should still be the favorite here even with the departures of Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith, with the latter joining the Astros this winter. The Indians get to test the Astros early in 2018 as well, with a three-game series at the end of May in Houston.