Stark
The Winds of Winter
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 22,117
- Reaction score
- 23,899
- Points
- 135
- Yan Gomes is an All-Star: following an early season scuff by Roberto Perez, Gomes takes the majority of innings behind the dish and returns to production that eclipses his Silver Slugger year of 2013. He sets career highs in home runs (27), RBIs (82), and slugging percentage (.502) while also playing Gold Glove defense behind the dish.
- Yonder Alonso shines: Alonso one-ups his all-star campaign from last season and fills the Carlos Santana void very nicely for the Indians. He slugs a career high 35 home runs and gives Edwin Encarnacion constant protection all season long.
- Carlos Carrasco struggles: following a Cy-Young caliber season in 2017, Carrasco comes back down to earth a bit in 2018 and ends up being the Indians 4th best starter behind Kluber, Bauer, and Clevinger.
- Michael Brantley is solid, but unspectacular: Michael Brantley returns in early-May and has a rather solid, if not pedestrian, season for the Indians. His power evaporates as he only hits four home runs, but he still reaches base at a decent clip with .287/.358 BA/OBP marks and 33 doubles.
- The Indians win their first World Series in 70 years: If healthy, the Indians have as much talent as anyone with two guys who could easily compete for AL MVP in Lindor and Ramirez, three guys who could easily compete for the Cy Young in Kluber, Bauer, and Carrasco, a solid bullpen, good defense, and necessary pieces to make a blockbuster move at the deadline should they need to do so. They cruise to the second best record in the American League, where they beat Boston in four games in the ALDS, smoke Houston in five in the ALCS, and take down the Cubs in an act of revenge, in six games, in the 2018 World Series.