2007 Cleveland Indians Predictions
Everyone was hot on this team in 2006, but our 2007 Cleveland Indians predictions will tell you if this is the team’s year or not. The bookmakers are slating this team in at 85.5 wins, which we personally think is a little low. All those hopes for last season should be just as high this year, and we think there is great value in Cleveland right now. Bet on sports using your checking account!
The team has a pretty deep rotation with Sabathia, Westbrook, Sowers, Byrd, Carmona, and Lee. CC Sabathia seems to have gotten over the hump last year when he threw 28 games with a 3.22 ERA and 12-11 record. The guy also had 172 Ks in just 192 innings pitched and is finally living up to the potential he was marked as having early in his career. Jake Westbrook is a solid number two starter, even though he’s not a name everyone knows about. He had a 15-10 record last year with a 4.17 ERA. This guy is good for 30+ starts ever year so count on him staying off the disabled list. Jeremy Sowers came up in June of last year and finished with a 7-4 record and 3.57 ERA, showing a lot of potential for the future. Paul Byrd had a down year last year when he suffered through a 4.88 ERA. WE expect him to return to form this year as he had a 3.80 ERA over the last two years before that disaster. Fausto Carmona went 1-10 last year, but is young with a lot of talent. The Indians are hoping he can produce enough to win the job away from Cliff Lee. Joe Borowski will be the one called upon to come in and close the games out for Cleveland this year. This guy gets the job done and should be a good addition to the team. The setup guys are reliable, but not the most talented in the American League.
Offensively the team is very talented with Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, and Travis Hafner leading the way. Hafner is the designated hitter who put up 42 home runs and drove in 117 runs while hitting .308. Victor Martinez is a talented catcher who put up a .316 average with 16 homers and 93 RBIs. Grady Sizemore is a talented guy who sets the table with a .375 on-base percentage, 28 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Casey Blake isn’t the best first baseman in the league, but he hits for a decent average, plays good defense, and will drive in a decent amount of runs. Peralta, Barfield, and Marte close out the infield. You won’t see a lot of offensive production out of these guys but they’ll get the job done defensively. In the outfield the team has David Dellucci and Trot Nixon to give them decent numbers, nothing great, but both are consistent.
This team is young and grew a lot through last season’s struggles. Hafner, Sizemore, and Sabathia are the real deal and should be poised to continue the successes they had last season. If you are looking for a good surprise team, ride the Indians early and often.
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