I'd hate to let computerized projections and grizzled newspaper beat writers have all the fun, so I'm going to throw my hat into the prediction ring too, even though it's foolish to think you can know what will happen over the course of thousands of games. Unlike some of those grizzled beat writers, I've at least gone to the trouble of checking my math to make sure the wins and losses even out.
April: With 10 games against tough competition to start the season and 16 of their first 26 games on the road, the Tribe gets off to a rough start. Attendance is up compared to recent years, but still not great, probably because the city's attention is still focused on the Cavs' push for the #3 pick. The cheers outweigh the boos before an Ubaldo Jimenez start against the Yankees, but the boos carry the day when Jimenez is knocked out in the 4th inning.
National League West:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
91 |
71 |
|
2 |
86 |
76 |
|
3 |
81 |
81 |
|
4 |
76 |
86 |
|
5 |
70 |
92 |
May: The Indians stabilize and see their record climb back towards .500. With the NFL draft out of the way, 800,000 additional Cuyahoga County residents remember that baseball has begun, helping attendance begin to climb. New acquisitions Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher both play well, but Brett Myers struggles, temporarily distracting fans from noticing Ubaldo.
National League East:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
93 |
69 |
|
2 |
87 |
75 |
|
3 |
83 |
79 |
|
4 |
75 |
87 |
|
5 |
63 |
99 |
June: The Indians struggle again, falling 10 games behind Detroit as the starting rotation simply isn't getting it done. Scott Kazmir, after his great spring and a solid first few weeks of the season, sees his arm fall off. Ubaldo Jimenez takes to wearing disguises during the walk to his car from the stadium. During a homestand in the month's second half, Trevor Bauer is called up and makes his Indians debut against the Twins.
National League Central:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
90 |
72 |
|
2 |
85 |
77 |
|
3 |
79 |
83 |
|
4 |
77 |
85 |
|
5 |
75 |
87 |
July: The Indians have two players named to the All-Star team, Michael Bourn and Carlos Santana. After the break, Jimenez is pulled out of the rotation. The team then goes on a hot streak and again closes in on a .500 record. There's discussion of trading Asdrubal Cabrera, who's having another strong season, but a great offer never develops, and the team (claiming they had no plans of moving him) stands pat.
American League West:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
Angels |
93 |
69 |
2 |
90 |
72 |
|
3 |
A's |
83 |
79 |
4 |
73 |
89 |
|
5 |
59 |
103 |
August: Lonnie Chisenhall makes Cleveland fans forget about every other Tribe third baseman from recent years by hitting 4 home runs in a single month (that's all it takes). Jason Kipnis also hits four ball out this month, but has a harder time pushing recent second basemen out of fans' minds, because of course no one in Cleveland will ever forget Josh Barfield. Ubaldo is used out of the bullpen and is surprisingly effective.
American League East:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
Yankees |
91 |
71 |
2 |
89 |
73 |
|
3 |
Blue Jays |
87 |
75 |
4 |
Red Sox |
83 |
79 |
5 |
72 |
90 |
September: The Indians enter the final few weeks of the season four games back of second place. Michael Brantley tells the team to climb on his back. Justin Masterson takes him literally and both players are injured in the ensuing collapse. Despite that debacle, the Tribe gets on a roll. On a road trip in the middle of the month, the Indians pass both the White Sox and Royals and move into 2nd place, but the Tigers clinch the division that same week. During the season's final series, the Indians are able to move their record above .500.
American League Central:
Rank |
Team |
Wins |
Losses |
1 |
Tigers |
92 |
70 |
2 |
Indians |
82 |
80 |
3 |
White Sox |
80 |
82 |
4 |
Royals |
79 |
83 |
5 |
Twins |
66 |
96 |
Postseason:
Rookie of the Year: Oscar Taveras (Cardinals) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (Red Sox)
Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) and Yu Darvish (Rangers)
MVP: Joey Votto (Reds) and Robinson Cano (Yankees)
NL playoff teams: Nationals, Reds, Dodgers, Braves (WC) and Giants (WC)
AL playoff teams: Yankees, Tigers, Angels, Rangers (WC) and Rays (WC)
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
ALCS: Angels over Tigers
World Series Champion: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim