The Brilliance of Brantley, the middle infield conundrum, and Van Halen III: While We’re Waiting
March 22, 2017LeBron James promises to improve free-throw percentage in the postseason
March 22, 2017In 2015, Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber and outfielder Michael Brantley graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s MLB Preview, one that was deemed a jinx from the start. That year, the squad was just finished 81-80, which was third-best in the AL Central, 13.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals, who went on to win the World Series.
Fast forward to 2017 and the Indians may not have made one of three regional covers, but Sports Illustrated is doing their best to jinx the club that is projected by many to easily finish atop the AL Central and (once again) advance far into October and November. In their latest projections for the upcoming season, SI believes the Indians will go up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. But, like in 2016, Cleveland will be so close but yet so far away to a World Series title, with Los Angeles predicted to prevail.
SI writer Emma Span indicates she might have even picked Cleveland except there were prevailing forces.
Sorry. The bribe the Indians offered us to not pick them was just too much to resist.
— Emma Span (@emmaspan) March 21, 2017
Just how does Sports Illustrated believe Cleveland will make it to their second World Series in as many seasons? After winning the AL Central, they believe the Indians will beat the Mariners in the ALDS and Red Sox in the ALCS before losing to the Dodgers. Deemed the “new Cubs”, the Indians have plenty of well-deserved high hopes heading into 2017. If the Indians do indeed make the Fall Classic again in 2017, it would be the first time in club history that Cleveland would appear in the World Series in back-to-back seasons.
In case you’re confused as to why SI picked the Indians to make the World Series but not to grace one of their three regional covers, well, I am too. Here’s who will be on the three covers:
Three @SInow covers for their MLB preview: Cubs, Red Sox, and Mike Trout.
— Scott @ WFNY (@WFNYScott) March 21, 2017
Wait, the Red Sox somehow made a cover over the Indians? Yep. The team who was swept by Cleveland in the ALDS and lost arguably their biggest slugger in David Ortiz was chosen to grace the cover over the AL favorite. Strange, right? Some may argue that the addition of ace Chris Sale means that Boston is better than Cleveland heading into this season, but then again, did they forget the Indians added the best right-handed slugger on the free agent market in Edwin Encarnacion, along with potentially getting back a healthy Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, and Michael Brantley?
Then, there’s the matter of another Sports Illustrated cover having the Houston Astros on it and as the pick to win the American League.
Well, this is awkward. pic.twitter.com/jU66G7B0gO
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) March 21, 2017
If only the AL favorites had a young, up-and-coming shortstop who is not only already one of the best in the league at his position but also very marketable… Or arguably the best reliever in the game… Or one of the best starting pitchers in the game. Too bad it’s hard to find anyone on the Indians worth marketing. Well, here’s to hoping the Sports Illustrated jinx latches onto the Red Sox this time around.
11 Comments
All preseason MLB and NFL predictions are completely worthless. Every. Single. One.
Can Boston beat Cleveland in a series? Abso-friggin-lutely. I honestly can’t understand why Cleveland is not the nearly unanimous favorite in the AL.
The youthful 3-B’s will grow and improve? Let me introduce you to the left side of our infield…
Sawx lost a Hall-of-Famer coming off an MVP-caliber year. Indians lost their 1B/DH but replaced with the best (or 1a) hitter on the market.
Sandoval might actually have a serviceable season? Here’s our Silver Slugger catcher that is actually healthy this year.
Conceivably, a decent improvement in health/availability in Carrasco, Salazar, Brantley could offset the Sale addition.
Choir… meet preacher.
https://media.giphy.com/media/IxPDc96oRya6A/giphy.gif
Except the WFNY comment communities NFL predictions right?
2005
http://cdn-s3.si.com/images/2005-1003-SI-cover-Ronnie-Belliard-Paul-Konerko-017040094cov.jpg
Um, that theory was thoroughly debunked last season.
A national magazine didn’t think that a team wasn’t a draw in it’s hometown would be a draw nationally. Huh, weird.
I was on the bubble through the last game.
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