Not sure what to make of this, but I filtered SP stats for results vs all teams minus Min, KC, CHW, and Detroit. Cleveland's rotation is 3rd best of remaining AL teams (frankly, NYY, BOS, and Cleveland rated about the same). Hitting, Cleveland was last among remaining AL teams. Sorting stats based on remaining AL teams vs remaining AL teams, Cleveland's rotation was second best, but offense and pen were last. While I think Cleveland could win ALDS (or World Series for that matter) as only a 5-game series and they are still a very good team, to me it looks like they aren't quite in the same tier as the rest of the AL playoff teams.
Lets hope they don't choose today (and this series) to wake up. I think Ramirez has been bad for 40+ games. But like Correa, he could wake up and start mashing. Trevor Bauer coming out of the pen could eliminate that pen problem for them.
Bauer out of the pen is terrifying to me. He, not Josh Donaldson, is the "X-Factor" imo. He could mow any team down late for 2 to 3 innings to finish a game off.
I like the confidence in this thread and all, but I feel we are collectively underestimating the Indians just a tad. Statistically speaking, their offense was better than our's this season. They also added Donaldson late, so if they catch lightning in a bottle, the already good lineup gets scarier and deeper. Looking through today's lineup, it's pretty damn solid 1-9. I wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this series wins it all. Very tough opponent, but I have faith in our Astros. We ran through 3 very tough opponents last year in our historic World Series run, and I welcome the challenge to earn our way through the playoffs again. Good luck, and although I am already nervous as hell, I'll try and remind myself to just enjoy the roller coaster as much as possible!
It's fine to be nervous but every other team is nervous about us as well. Saying you wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this series wins it all can be said about any series. There's no reason to be scared or nervous of anyone. At the end of the day, we gotta show up and play the game. Just win, baby, just win. Go Astros.
Champions have Championship experience and that's why I have a lot of confidence in this group. They've been to the mountain and reached the top. They didn't crumble like the Indians.
I never said the Indians and their fans shouldn't be nervous about us. And no, I wouldn't say that about any series. Specifically, off the top of my head, I don't think the Braves or the Rockies would go on to win it all if they won their respective series. Hell, I actually wouldn't say that about either NL series'. I hope the Indians play is as quality as your post.
The quest for repeat. I'm ready to party like its 1995 Altuve = Hakeem (international star, foreign accent, reigning MVP) Cole = Drexler (new acquisition to the team) Keuchel = Maxwell (outspoken, lost his spot to new acquisition, fan favorite) Correa = Kenny Bregman = Cassell Springer = Horry Morton = Mario Let's go!!! Never underestimate the heart of a champion! Un-Beat-Able
