How the Cleveland Indians stack up against top AL competition

The Winter Meetings have concluded and it has become clear who the Cleveland Indians’ biggest competition in the AL is in 2018. Now we take a look at how the Tribe stacks up against them.

The ceiling is a World Series championship for the 2018 Cleveland Indians. But the Indians aren’t the only team in the American League with World Series aspirations.

Four other teams made the AL postseason in 2017 and fans can expect those same four teams to be a threat in the AL once again.

The Yankees, Astros, Red Sox and Twins all could give the Tribe a run for their money in 2018. But the Indians aren’t a cake walk for any team. With that said, let’s take a closer look at each of the Indians’ biggest competitors in the league.

New York Yankees

If any team should keep Indians fans up at night, it’s the Yankees. For obvious reasons, Clevelanders hold pretty bitter feelings toward the Yanks’ after they upset the Tribe in the ALDS. Now after signing Giancarlo Stanton, they look like the true Bronx Bombers again.

Five of 2017’s leaders in WAR now reside in the American League. Two of them are in the Yankees’ 2018 lineup. The Yankees also retained veteran pitcher CC Sabathia meaning they still boast a formidable pitching rotation. With very few key losses this offseason it goes without saying that the Yankees have only gotten better.

So what chance do the Indians stand against them? Well, the Indians went 5-2 against them in the 2017 regular season including a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium. While they gave Cleveland heartbreak in the postseason, a lot of that can be attributed to a mishandling of the rotation. Starting Trevor Bauer on short rest was a mistake that New York took advantage of. They were able to get to Corey Kluber on an off night as well.

Yes, the Indians were bested in the ALDS but with a historic rotation that can go toe to toe with anyone, the Tribe can’t be discounted.  This rotation dominated the Yankees in the regular season and was never bullied by power hitters. Indians pitching along with a lineup that can give any starter headaches still keeps them on pace with the Yankees.

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.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have some catching up to in their division. While they continue to look at free agent first baseman J.D. Martinez, they will have to play their best baseball to keep up with the AL powerhouses. They still have one of baseball’s best pitchers in Chris Sale, and 2016 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello.

But the Red Sox rotation is shaky. Porcello was a shell of his 2016-self last season, and they will rely on David Price to return to form after an injury plagued season. The rotation may be the rock of this team but they have a heavy load to carry.

The lineup for Boston has been shaken up under new manager Alex Cora. They’ve placed Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot. Andrew Benintendi had a great rookie season and Hanley Ramirez may see more time at first base.

Compared to the Indians’ lineup there isn’t much competition.  On a good day they can take the Tribe down, but the Indians have a lineup that is more consistent through and through.

The Indians will see the Red Sox in the most critical stretch of the year. They meet in August and for the Tribe’s final homestand in September.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins went from one of baseball’s worst to a Wild Card team last year. It was a magical season for Minnesota and they managed to give the Tribe serious headaches at times.

The Twins will likely give the Indians more losses than anyone else on this list simply because of how often they play. They have a top-heavy rotation. Jose Berrios and Ervin Santana were among the top of the AL last year in pitching. But outside of those two, they have average pitchers at best.

Their lineup features stars in Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton and veteran Joe Mauer; who saw a bit of a career resurgence in 2017. That said, the Twins still have a lot of questions heading into 2018. Miguel Sano is also still facing sexual harassment accusations.

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They aren’t really a World Series threat for 2018. With teams like the Angels, Rangers, and Rays looking to be in the Wild Card chase, they may not even make the playoffs. But they are the Indians’ biggest competition in the AL Central and are still a dangerous team. The Indians can’t afford to overlook them in 2018.