Yankees: 3 bad Indians stats that prove NYY is being underestimated

Baseball fans are overlooking the Yankees because of their streakiness, but what about the Indians?

We’ll be the first ones to admit that the New York Yankees‘ 2020 season was underwhelming at best. Despite injuries (again), the Bombers finished 33-27 and captured the No. 5 seed in the AL playoffs, which, one could say, is not very good for this team’s standards.

However, people seem to be forgetting Gerrit Cole is this team’s ace and the lineup is arguably the deepest in baseball. Playoff Tanaka? Hello? A streaky regular season shouldn’t have everybody doubting them in the postseason, especially since their opponent in the Wild Card series, the Cleveland Indians, isn’t exactly the poster child for success.

Yankees fans already know the Bombers’ flaws, but some might not be entirely familiar with this Indians team across this year’s 60-game slate. Let’s take a look at some statistics that clearly show Cleveland’s weaknesses.

3. Almost half of the Indians’ games have come against…

How is the media overlooking the fact the Indians have faced a lot of inferior teams?

The season was 60 games. The Indians played 29 of those against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers. That’s not their fault — typically you get a healthy mix of opposition in a 162-game slate — but don’t you think this will play a role when the time comes to face the best lineups in the league?

We know, the Indians had to do battle with the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs, but they were just 11-13 in those games. They haven’t exactly been mowing down some of the most proficient offenses in the league.

Now, they’ll welcome the most dangerous lineup to Progressive Field for a three-game set to determine their fate of the 2020 season. Bieber is a strikeout machine, but he’ll have a tough time battling with Gleyber Torres in the No. 7 spot in the lineup — that’s how deep the Yankees’ offense is.

Plus, five of Bieber’s 12 starts came against that aforementioned competition.