The Cleveland Indians saw their three-year dominance of the American League Central come to an end last season when the Minnesota Twins rose up and won the division. While the Indians parted with a few key parts in the offseason, they still have a roster capable of not only making the playoffs, but potentially winning a series in the postseason.
Today, we focus on the Indians’ 2020 regular season win totals and World Series odds. Do the Indians have what it takes? Let’s analyze:
Cleveland Indians 2019 wins
While the Indians did not win the AL Central in 2019 — nor did they qualify for the postseason — they did win 93 games (and their 49 home wins were more than the division-winning Twins).
Cleveland Indians offseason
The Indians moved two-time Cy Young winning RHP Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in an offseason deal. However, he is 33 years old and is coming back from a major injury, so it might not be as big of a deal as some might think. Cleveland played the majority of the summer without Kluber, and fared just fine. The Indians also added a few key offensive parts — such as OF Domingo Santana — while keeping all-everything SS Francisco Lindor. OF Delino Deshields Jr. will give them some nice speed and C Sandy Leon is an underrated depth addition — as is 2B Cesar Hernandez, who essentially will replace the departed Jason Kipnis.
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Cleveland Indians World Series odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, Feb. 16, at 7:40 p.m. ET.
The Indians (+2200) aren’t among the favorites to win it all, but they’re nowhere near the bottom, either. In fact, Cleveland has the fifth-best odds in the AL, and they’re not far behind Minnesota (+1400).
How many games will the Indians win in 2020?
The Indians are a solid play on the OVER 85.5 (-125) wins. While the White Sox made some major roster improvements inside the division, the Indians will still earn double-digit wins against the lowly Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals, while teams like the Boston Red Sox are also down quite a bit. In fact, the Indians could get out to a rather quick start with their first six games at home against the ChiSox and Tigers, and their first four road games against the Tigers.
Their interleague schedule is a little worrisome, particularly in May when they face expected contenders such as the Cincinnati Reds at home and Los Angeles Dodgers on the road, but June is where the Indians really could make some hay with a rather favorable schedule. This team could have 45-50 wins by the All-Star break.
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