How the Cleveland Indians stack up against top AL competition

The Winter Meetings have concluded and it has become clear who the Cleveland Indians’ biggest competition in the AL is in 2018. Now we take a look at how the Tribe stacks up against them.

The ceiling is a World Series championship for the 2018 Cleveland Indians. But the Indians aren’t the only team in the American League with World Series aspirations.

Four other teams made the AL postseason in 2017 and fans can expect those same four teams to be a threat in the AL once again.

The Yankees, Astros, Red Sox and Twins all could give the Tribe a run for their money in 2018. But the Indians aren’t a cake walk for any team. With that said, let’s take a closer look at each of the Indians’ biggest competitors in the league.

New York Yankees

If any team should keep Indians fans up at night, it’s the Yankees. For obvious reasons, Clevelanders hold pretty bitter feelings toward the Yanks’ after they upset the Tribe in the ALDS. Now after signing Giancarlo Stanton, they look like the true Bronx Bombers again.

Five of 2017’s leaders in WAR now reside in the American League. Two of them are in the Yankees’ 2018 lineup. The Yankees also retained veteran pitcher CC Sabathia meaning they still boast a formidable pitching rotation. With very few key losses this offseason it goes without saying that the Yankees have only gotten better.

So what chance do the Indians stand against them? Well, the Indians went 5-2 against them in the 2017 regular season including a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium. While they gave Cleveland heartbreak in the postseason, a lot of that can be attributed to a mishandling of the rotation. Starting Trevor Bauer on short rest was a mistake that New York took advantage of. They were able to get to Corey Kluber on an off night as well.

Yes, the Indians were bested in the ALDS but with a historic rotation that can go toe to toe with anyone, the Tribe can’t be discounted.  This rotation dominated the Yankees in the regular season and was never bullied by power hitters. Indians pitching along with a lineup that can give any starter headaches still keeps them on pace with the Yankees.