Cleveland Indians: Previewing the Opening Series

We’ve made it. It’s over. The wait is finally over. Take it all in and be prepared for another roller coaster summer. Cleveland Indians baseball is once again upon us.

This offseason has felt like an eternity. The Cleveland Indians made sure that it felt even slower with a lack of moves. The Fanbase is in panic mode, the owner is trying to make sure we #EnjoyIt. But regardless of how you may feel about the state of the franchise, you’re here because baseball is back and you’re excited about it.

The Indians begin their march for a fourth-straight AL Central title against the team many have pegged as the Indians top competition in the Central, the Minnesota Twins. They stack up pretty evenly (although without Francisco Lindor or Jason Kipnis the Twins lineup looks much better). But the Indians have a significant edge in pitching thanks to their dominant rotation.

Projected Lineups

Cleveland Indians (0-0): CF Leonys Martin, LF Jake Bauers, 3B Jose Ramirez, 1B Carlos Santana, DH Hanley Ramirez, RF Tyler Naquin, C Roberto Perez, 2B Brad Miller, SS Eric Stamets

Minnesota Twins (0-0): SS Jorge Polanco, 1B C.J. Cron, LF Eddie Rosario, DH Nelson Cruz, 2B Jonathan Schoop, 3B Marwin Gonzalez, RF Max Kepler, C Jason Castro, CF Byron Buxton

Expect the Indians lineup to change quite a bit over the next few weeks. Miller and Stamets won’t be everyday starters once Lindor and Kipnis return. Bauers has a lot to prove and he’s being given the chance to hit ahead of Ramirez in the two-hole.

The Twins have some new faces with Cruz and Gonzalez. Byron Buxton is looking to turn things around this season. They have plenty of power bats and it’ll be something that could give the Indians headaches throughout the season.