Two Tribes (at least that's what it feels like)

FIVE PLAYERS on the Cleveland Indians right now have a WAR over 4.0. Invert statistic: twelve teams this season don't even have ONE player with a WAR over 4.0.

Those 5 players, by the way: Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger. Carlos Carrasco, the guy at the top of the post, only has a 2.8, and has 15 wins and a great season so far...and on any other season would be the best pitcher on the team, but those three are just pitching the pants off of him right now. I can't even explain it. Yes, Shane Bieber's the obvious fifth man, but that was gonna happen anyway, really. And since Bauer's hurt, Adam Plutko is playing the Josh Tomlin card of 'sure, let's put him in, see what happens'.

The Indians are GOING to the playoffs. No one from the AL Central is going to stop them. But even if someone was trying, they'd still be the best team, even if they dropped a few to Boston earlier this week. This team has so much going for them, with some of the best infielders in baseball, a healthy Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes, an improved bullpen, a ton of home runs, and a lot of consistency.

Some little holes, like the outfield (especially now that Leonys Martin isn't coming back), are slightly concerning, but this is definitely an October-bound team, even if they're looking at third-seed at this point, and will likely be going up against either Houston or Oakland (whichever ends up in first, so probably Houston). It won't be an easy postseason, but this Indians team is sneaky enough to be great this year, I think.

Coming Tonight: The Cardinals are making a run at the Wild Card. So naturally I have to make more customs of them. Fine. Here's their big second-year star.