Cleveland Indians: Previewing the Players’ Weekend series

It’s one of the most fun weekends in the MLB season, as the Cleveland Indians and every other team will don nicknames on the backs of their jerseys for Players’ weekend.

It’s good to see the MLB get out of their comfort zone at times. When you see players donning nicknames; some of which are actually pretty funny, it’s pretty cool to see. The Cleveland Indians will get in on the fun this weekend against the Kansas City Royals (the team they faced in last years’ Players’ Weekend.

The Royals are competing for the number one draft pick right now as they are one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. They’ll be facing the Indians ten more times this season. Speaking of the Indians, they’re coming off splitting a series with the Boston Red Sox, in what may have been an ALCS preview.

The Indians are now hot on the tracks of the AL West contenders for the second seed in the American League playoffs. Considering the Indians have just 3 series’ remaining against teams above .500 (one against Boston, two against Tampa Bay) they have a good chance of catching that number two seed.

Projected Lineups

Cleveland Indians (73-54) vs. Kansas City Royals (38-90)

Cleveland Indians: SS Mr. Smile, LF Junior, 3B Enriquito, DH Riveria, 1B Mr. 305, RF Melk Man, 2B Dirtbag, C Gomer, CF Greg Allen

Kansas City Royals: 2B Whitley, LF Gordo, C El Nino, DH Dude, RF Varon, 1B Brohearn, 3B Doz, CF Maverick, SS Magic

Strong nicknames from both sides here but the level of play is pretty far apart. The Indians have played some of their best baseball since coming out of the All-Star Break. Being 17-6 in the month of August will do that for you. Adding Edwin Encarnarion (Riveria) back into the mix gives the Indians a big benefit in the slugging department, as he hit two homers in his return against the Red Sox.

If you thought the Royals lineup looked strange before the deadline, it must look almost foreign to you now (not counting the nicknames of course.) They sent Mike Moustakas on his way at the trade deadline and Ryan O’Hearn (Brohearn) takes his spot now. The players remaining from the 2015 World Series team are dwindling, the they’re in full rebuild mode.