Can the Cleveland Indians overcome adversity and repeat the Cavs' feat?
If anyone understands how fast seasons change, it would be Cleveland fans in 2016.
In nine June days, they went from despair to euphoria as the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to bring the city its first championship in 52 years.
Now, in the same span in September, Indians faithful are looking at riches turning to rags.
Armed with one of the best -- if not the best -- starting pitching staff in the American League, the Cleveland Indians were riding high heading into the final month of the season. They began to pull away from the second-place Tigers and had all but wrapped up their first AL Central title since 2007.
On Sept. 9, Cleveland's No. 2 starter, All-Star Danny Salazar, grabbed his forearm in what would likely be his last appearance of 2016. Three days later, an MRI revealed a mild strain of the flexor muscle and Salazar would miss at least the next three-to-four weeks.
Terry Francona and Danny Salazar
The Indians werey relying on riding Salazar far into the playoffs behind ace Corey Kluber.
Five days later, Cleveland's starting catcher Yan Gomes appeared in his final rehab appearance with Double-A Akron, working his way back from a shoulder injury. In what was supposed to be his final at-bat before re-joining the big league club, Gomes was hit by a pitch -- resulting in a broken wrist.
He's done for the season.
Yan Gomes
And when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.
Two pitches into Saturday's game with the Tigers, the Indians' No. 3 starter Carlos Carrasco was hit by a comebacker off the bat of Ian Kinsler. Carrasco grabbed his hand in pain and left to undergo X-rays on his pitching hand. Cleveland fans held their breath waiting for news on Carrasco -- and when they finally got it, you could almost hear a collective groan throughout the city and social media.
A broken finger. Carrasco's season was over.
Carlos Carrasco
Now, with two weeks lefts in the season, the Indians have an eight-game lead over Detroit. They're almost certain to win the division for the first time in nearly a decade. Cleveland should be buzzing with excitement, instead, the team is left scrambling to piece things together and the fans are unsure what to make of their beloved Tribe.
After all, they did get here without their best player in Michael Brantley -- who is out for the season with a shoulder injury ... Do they have what it takes to battle through the adversity and play deep into October?
