The Indians are the only team in the AL Central with a record over .500, they're 9 games ahead of the pack, and they just got Brad Hand. I don't think anything else needs to be said.
The Indians don't NEED to be fantastic...and yet they are. It's already been established that the core group, of Lindor-Brantley-Ramirez-Edwin, is furious, and capable of serious harm. Jose Ramirez is a low-key MVP threat, which could be dangerous in a year where Mike Trout, a guy with two MVPs, is a heavy favorite. The rotation is also strong as hell- the Kluber-Carrasco-Bauer-Clevinger core is still potent as hell, with the recently-demoted (for some reason) Shane Bieber being a very nice fifth man.
The previously-problematic bullpen is...still kinda problematic. Brad Hand gave up a home run in his first start. I don't know what it is about the Progressive Field bullpen, if it changes pitchers this year, but ONLY OLIVER PEREZ has come out of this season unscathed, as the O-Man is mowing them down in middle relief. Still, Cody Allen is mediocre as closer, Neil Ramirez is effective enough in middle relief, and the once-sturdy Dan Otero and Zach McAllister have been futile. It's going to take more than just Brad Hand to save this bullpen.
The good news is the little things are helping this lineup. Rajai Davis is having pseudo-2016 numbers, back in his old position. Yandy Diaz and Erik Gonzalez have been effective off the bench. Even Tyler Naquin is enjoying some nice numbers taking over for Lonnie Chisenhall. This is a team that can get numbers from the oddest places, and can be very dangerous when you don't expect it to.
The Indians are going to definitely push through the next few months, even if they statistically don't have to.
Coming Tomorrow- He swears he's not juicing anymore, and his team really needs his genuine power about now.
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