4 CLEVELAND INDIANS

O/U WINS: 81.5

KEY PLAYER: Andres Gimenez. The key acquisition from the

Mets in the Francisco Lindor/Carlos Carrasco trade. As in New York last year, Gimenez already has shown he should be the starting shortstop, not Amed Rosario (also obtained by Cleveland).

PLAYER WHO’LL NEED

TO STEP UP: Triston McKenzie. The 2018 Indians won the AL

Central behind a rotation foursome of Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Corey Kluber, who combined to go 62-31 with a 2.89 ERA. All four have since been traded, with the rotation reforming around 2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. If Cleveland is going to contend this year, it will need its rotation to be deep behind Bieber. McKenzie is arguably the most talented, with Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill also part of the inexpensive group. NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Emmanuel Clase. He was the main return from Texas for Kluber, but missed 2020 (Tommy John surgery).

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Is Franmil Reyes an offensive force? His 46 homers the past two seasons are one more than Mookie Betts had. HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: Cleveland’s rotation may pitch it into contention, but a lineup that lacks heft beyond Jose Ramirez will be hard-pressed to score enough.

PROJECTED LINEUP CF Jordan Luplow 2B Cesar Hernandez 3B Jose Ramirez LF Eddie Rosario DH Franmil Reyes RF Josh Naylor

1B Jake Bauers C Roberto Perez SS Andres Gimenez

ROTATION

RHP Shane Bieber RHP Zach Plesac RHP Aaron Civale LHP Logan Allen RHP Triston McKenzie