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Biggest flaws on current MLB playoff teams

MLB pitchers

AL Wild Card (Tie): Cleveland Indians

As we’ve detailed, we expect the Indians to win the American League Central. At the very least, a Wild Card spot certainly seems likely. But this is certainly not a flawless team.

The biggest issue with Cleveland is its offense, and unfortunately, we can’t just single out one area. The Indians are 18th in batting average (.248), 16th in OBP (.324), 14th in slugging (.419), 19th in both home runs (65) and steals (26).

That’s a lot of mediocrity for a team that nearly won the World Series a season ago.

Some of this can be attributed to Edwin Encarnacion, who has been a disappointing signing thus far.

But the Indians stole an American League leading 134 bases a season ago. Encarnacion was never going to help in that regard.

Cleveland’s offense dealt with an abundance of injuries in 2016 but still found a way to be formidable. When Plan A didn’t work, the Indians went to Plan B.

In 2017, the offense has been stagnant. It’s hard to imagine what Plans B-Z even are. Cleveland has a lot of talent. But for more than two months (or one-third) of the season, nothing that’s been especially dependable.

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