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5 reasons the Cleveland Indians can be a sleeper in the Wild Card race

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) receives congratulations from second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) after scoring in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) receives congratulations from second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) after scoring in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis can pace the offense

Cleveland has had an excellent starting rotation for the entire season, yet had played poorly until the last couple of weeks. The key has been an improving offense, which has scored 41 runs during the team’s recent six-game winning streak.

Lindor has been a huge part of the Indians’ recent form, but the offense is carried by a duo of hitters having fantastic seasons. Brantley  and Kipnis can provide enough run production to help the Indians continue their recent hot streak at the plate.

One of the most underrated hitters in baseball over the past two years, Brantley is again proving himself to be a strong middle-of-the-order presence. While his defense isn’t grading out quite as well as last season, Brantley is posting a 145 wRC+ at the plate, just below last year’s MVP-caliber level.

Kipnis is providing a .389 OPB at the top the lineup, which is huge recently with Lindor now batting behind him. That’s been a welcome sign for Cleveland following Kipnis’ poor 2014 campaign, which was hampered by injuries.

Getting rid of Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher has been addition by subtraction for Cleveland’s offense, as both were having miserable seasons at the plate. That has allowed more at-bats for solid role players like Ryan Raburn and the recently acquired Abraham Almonte, who has been very good in his time as the Indians’ primary center fielder.

Next: The defense has improved greatly

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