Previewing 2016 ALCS: Blue Jays vs Indians
This American League Championship Series is only half surprising for me as two very different teams will be playing for the AL Pennant. The very talented Cleveland Indians will be taking on the very hot hitting Toronto Blue Jays. The Indians come into this series red hot as they seemingly easily beat the Boston Red Sox, the best offense in the AL in three games. The Blue Jays may be even hotter as they absolutely dispatched the Texas Rangers in a sweep and the Rangers were arguably the most complete team in the AL. Lets take a look at both teams.
Indians
Pitchers
Trevor Bauer
Corey Kluber
Josh Tomlin
Cody Allen
Cody Anderson
Mike Clevinger
Jeff Manship
Zach McAllister
Andrew Miller
Dan Otero
Bryan Shaw
Ryan Merritt
Manship, Shaw, Otero, Merritt, Allen, and McAllister have made this bullpen one of the best in the league and probably the best in the league now that Baltimore is out of the playoffs. Miller is arguably the best relief pitcher in the league right now as he always lights out. Clevinger and Anderson move to the bullpen as they become long relief options. Bauer has been outstanding this season and Tomlin came out of nowhere to make this rotation hard to beat. Kluber is arguably the best pitcher in the American League as he won a Cy Young Award.
Catchers
Roberto Perez
Yan Gomes
Perez provides depth and dependability as well as calling a good game. Gomes had a disappointing season and was injured, but he finally came back and has played well.
Infielders
Jason Kipnis
Francisco Lindor
Michael Martinez
Mike Napoli
Jose Ramirez
Carlos Santana
This infield is very good as you have Kipnis, one of the best second basemen in the game, Lindor, an exciting shortstop who could be a star soon, Ramirez, who is one of the more clutch hitters in the game, and Napoli, who is still very dangerous with the bat. Santana is an everyday designated hitter, but he can still rake.
Outfielders
Lonnie Chisenhall
Coco Crisp
Brandon Guyer
Tyler Naquin
Rajai Davis
Chisenhall is one of the more underrated players in the game as he is very productive. Crisp returns to the team to give them depth and Guyer is one of the more underrated players who has come up clutch for this team since being acquired from Tampa Bay. Naquin had an outstanding rookie year and looks to replace the production that has been missed since their best player, Michael Brantley, has been hurt. Davis is a very speedy player who is also able to start some games. There is plenty of depth in their outfield.
Blue Jays
Pitchers
Joe Biagini
Brett Cecil
Marco Estrada
Jason Grilli
JA Happ
Francisco Liriano
Aaron Loup
Roberto Osuna
Aaron Sanchez
Marcus Stroman
Ryan Tepera
Osuna is a very good closer. Grilli has lots of experience. Biagini has struggled of late as well, but he has been a nice surprise as a Rule 5 pick. Tepera, Loup, and Cecil have all been solid this season, but Loup especially after he was sent down to the minors for a bit to work some things out. Estrada, Liriano, and Sanchez round out the rotation with Stroman as this is a very good rotation. Heck, even Happ who is included here is very good too.
Catchers
Russell Martin
Dioner Navarro
Martin is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, but he also can do some damage with the bat. Navarro was picked up mid-season and provides depth.
Infielders
Darwin Barney
Josh Donaldson
Devon Travis
Troy Tulowitzki
Edwin Encarnacion
Ryan Goins
Donaldson is an MVP candidate this year as he is regarded as one of the best players in the league. Tulowitzki is a very good shortstop as he hits for average, power, has some speed, and overall a good defensive player. Travis has been a solid player for them as he is good defensively and puts up quality at bats. Encarnacion is one of their best power threats. He can play first base, but is best being the designated hitter. Smoak is a left handed bat that will very likely play first base if they continue into the next round as he has a good glove. Barney is outstanding with his glove and has some speed as he looks to come in likely for defensive purposes. Goins will be used in pinch running situations.
Outfielders
Jose Bautista
Ezequiel Carrera
Kevin Pillar
Michael Saunders
Melvin Upton Jr.
Dalton Pompey
Pillar is one of the best defensive players in the game as he puts together Superman like highlights in the field. He is fun to watch with his glove. Bautista is one of the most feared sluggers in the game, but he also has a cannon of an arm in right field. Saunders is one of the most underrated players in the game who finally found his power stroke this season. Carrera is a speedy player who is also great with the glove. Upton Jr. was once a top prospect with his five tool caliber, however, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations. He has had a good season and could be valuable in this game. Pompey is a very fast player and will be used in pinch running situations
This could be a really exciting series as in the regular season the Indians had the 4-3 edge and a few games were decided by one-run, a couple of walk-offs, and a 19 inning marathon. Despite their differences, they are very evenly matched. However, who do I think will win this? I have to go with the Indians. I feel like their bullpen will be the key here, but they seem like the more complete and talented team. The Blue Jays might have a chip on their shoulder as these veterans might be playing with each other for the final time, but the Indians are having more fun. Indians win in seven games.
