Cleveland Indians 2010 Baseball Predictions: The Cleveland Indians went from 81 wins in 2008 to just 65 last year. The continued digression prompted the Indians brass to dump Manager Eric Wedge and hire Manny Acta, who was on the bench for the Nationals last season. However, Cleveland's lack of activity on the player front in the off-season has not inspired a great deal of confidence in the Indians from the betting public or oddsmakers. Online bookmaker SPORTSBETTING.com has Cleveland listed at +6000 moneyline odds to win the World Series in its 2010 Baseball Predictions.
Cleveland's offense was actually respectable last season, averaging 4.77 runs per game while ranking 10th in team batting
average at .264. The Indians also had decent power numbers, ranking 12th in RBI with 730, 12th in slugging percentage at .417, and 14th in home runs with 161. The club did not add any bats via trade or free agency, however, Cleveland's offensive numbers should remain the same or improve slightly with a healthy Grady Sizemore back at the top of the order.
The real concern with the Indians centers on the pitching staff, both the starters and relievers. Neither unit performed well last year, ranking at or near the bottom of the league in batting average allowed, ERA, WHIP, strikouts, and saves. Indians starters compiled a 5.30 ERA (28th) and 1.56 WHIP (28th) while allowing a league worst .294 batting average against.
This year's rotation, in order to be effective at all, will need Fausto Carmona, who is slated to be the No. 1 starter, to return to the form he displayed in 2007. Carmona went 19-8 that year with a 3.06 ERA in 32 starts, but has since pieced together a 13-19 record in 46 starts with a 5.89 ERA. The return of Jake Westbrook, who is the likely No. 2, could help considerably; however, the Georgia native in no spring chicken at 32 and he is coming off of Tommy John surgery.
The bullpen has just as many issues after posting a collective 4.66 ERA last season (27th). Closer Kerry Wood, who had a 4.25 ERA in 2009, is already injured and out at least six weeks with a back issue. And the team lacks a consistent setup man in order to even get to Wood.
2010 Baseball Predictions: Fifth Place Al Central. Offense could keep them in games but the starting rotation is far too suspect to think that the Indians will challenge for anything other than last place.
SPORTSBETTING.com Cleveland Indians 2010 Baseball Predictions:
Odds to Win 2010 World Series +6000
Odds to Win 2010 American League Pennant +4000
Odds to Win AL Central Division +1400
MLB Regular Season Wins: Over 73.5 (-115), Under 73.5 (-115)
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