Cleveland Indians are leaning into how fresh their new lineup looks

The Cleveland Indians pursuit of a 162-0 season begins on Opening Day, or so the team says in its lineup release. 

No one likes to lose, but on a long enough timeline it’s bound to happen.

More specifically, on a 162-game schedule it’s nearly impossible to go an entire season without losing a single game. It’s never been done before and likely never will, which is less about talent and more about the Law of Averages.

But that doesn’t stop us from joking about it every year.

While the Cleveland Indians might not win 162 games, they look to be in better shape heading into the 2021 season than most experts think.

Cleveland Indians Opening Day lineup 2021

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Francisco Lindor is gone.

Like, gone gone.

Lindor signed a 10-year $341 million contract with the New York Mets the day before the season opener which all but ties a bow around his time in Cleveland. But with the face of its franchise gone, Cleveland boasts an Opening Day lineup that has talent all over the place and could outperform expectations.

Eddie Rosario is a huge addition, making a lateral move from Minnesota to be Cleveland’s new left fielder. Lest we forget that Jose Ramirez is an MVP candidate and could step up into the role of seasoned veteran who leads the clubhouse in the absence of Lindor.

And of course there’s the starting pitcher, Shane Bieber. The Cy Young winner leads a rotation that has talented arms behind him in Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale, and potentially a future ace in Triston McKenzie.