– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:47 pm
Indians 2017 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2017 Cleveland Indians predictions? The Cleveland Indians 2016 came up 1 run short of a World Title, but nonetheless the city of Cleveland enjoyed every second of the ride.
MLB Indians Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The Indians made so many memories and were a team that never gave up. It’s safe to say they’re all in and this year the front office is going for it.
2017 MLB Team Previews – Cleveland Indians
- American Central -500
- American League 4/1
- World Series 8/1
Key Additions:
- 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion
- RP Boone Logan
- OF Austin Jackson
The Indians made the biggest splash in the free agency pool, stealing Edwin Encarnacion from the rest of the league.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Encarnacion received a 3 year deal with a club option for the 4th, as he will certainly be a huge part of this offense and the right handed power bat they’ve been waiting for.
As for Boone Logan, he is a very undervalued pickup. Logan is one of the best specialists against left handed hitters and will take some pressure off of Andrew Miller.
Key Losses:
- 1B Mike Napoli
- OF Rajai Davis
Napoli and Davis were the big signings last year for Cleveland and the two veterans made such an impact on this team beyond belief.
Their contributions from all the home runs Napoli hit to the bases Davis stole, which also includes the Game 7 game tying home run of the World Series, will never be forgotten by the players on this team and the fans.
Indians Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- 1B Carlos Santana
- 2B Jason Kipnis
- SS Francisco Lindor
- DH Edwin Encarnacion
- 3B Jose Ramirez
- LF Michael Brantley
- CF Tyler Naquin
- RF Lonnie Chisenhall
- C Yan Gomes
The Indians lineup is one of the best in baseball and there is nobody that will argue that.
Signing Edwin Encarnacion solidified the middle of the lineup and gives Cleveland some impressive power.
The wild card here is Michael Brantley. He took BP on field this week and after missing basically an entire year with a shoulder injury, he could prove to be one of the biggest bats in the lineup, if healthy.
Time will tell with him, but insert him into what is a lineup that can score and this could be a fun year for the Indians offense.
Indians Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Corey Kluber
- Carlos Carrasco
- Danny Salazar
- Trevor Bauer
- Josh Tomlin
With both Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar out for the playoffs, it was up to Kluber to lead a pack that featured both Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin as the 2 and 3 guys.
The trio literally gave everything they had throughout the postseason in 2016 and with their 1b. and 1c. pitchers returning at full health, there are endless amounts of expectations for this rotation.
Expect them to really be deep and with some help in the minors incase injuries occur, this is going to be one of the best rotations in baseball.
Indians Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Cody Allen
- LH Andrew Miller
After making a splash at the deadline last year and acquiring Andrew Miller, the Indians went with close by committee and it couldn’t have worked out any better.
Check out the free sports picks for today from Cappers Picks!
Both guys should expect to see action in 9th innings this season as Cleveland boasts one of the best back end bullpens in baseball.
2017 Cleveland Indians Prediction:
It’s always tough to make it back to the World Series, obviously.
Given what the Indians did last year and how special that season was, to come up short has a bitter taste in a lot of peoples mouths.
[dfads params=’groups=213&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Health is the biggest key for this team. The talent level is far superior than most others in the MLB and given what they did to get Edwin Encarnacion, the Tribe is poised for a huge season.
What do you think of our 2017 Cleveland Indians predictions? Comments are welcome below.
We’ll be providing 4* free MLB plays on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free MLB Baseball picks!
Check out our Updated MLB Betting Odds.