Series #1: Cleveland Indians @ Texas Rangers

Cleveland Indians @ Texas Rangers

Game #1 (W 8-5) - 7:05 p.m. Corey Kluber v.s. Yu Darvish 

Game #2 (W 4-3) - 8:05 p.m. Carlos Carrasco v.s. Martin Perez (LHP)

Game #3 (W 9-6)- 8:05 p.m. Danny Salazar v.s. Cole Hamels

Projected Lineups:

Cleveland

DH Carlos Santana

SS Francisco Lindor

LF Michael Brantley

1B Edwin Encarnacion

2B Jose Ramirez

C Yan Gomes

CF Tyler Naquin

3B Yandy Diaz

RF Abraham Almonte

Note: In game 2 and game 3 against LHPs Martin Perez and Cole Hamels, the Indians likely will put Brandon Guyer in RF and Austin Jackson in CF.

Texas

CF Carlos Gomez

DH Shin-Soo Choo

RF Nomar Mazara

1B Mike Napoli

2B Rougned Odor

C Johnathan Lucroy

3B Joey Gallo

SS Elvis Andrus

LF Jurricskson Profar

Three keys to a series win:

Photo from Indians.com

1. Get to the seventh inning with a lead - This could probably be a key to every series all season long. The Indians bullpen is among the best in baseball, led by LHP Andrew Miller, who had 26 appearances with Cleveland after being traded from the Yankees last year. Miller posted a 1.53 ERA during the regular season with the Tribe. Miller will likely handle the 8th inning for the Indians this year, followed by Cody Allen, who had 32 saves and 2.51 ERA last regular season. Seventh inning duties will mostly be handled by Dan Otero, who had a career-low 1.53 ERA last season. Left-handed specialist Boone Logan, who spent last season with Colorado and was signed in the off-season to bolster the Cleveland bullpen, could handle high-leverage situations against tough left-handed hitters. Left-handed batters hit a paltry .142 against Logan last year in 119 plate appearances. If the Indians get to the seventh with a lead, they have a great opportunity to come away with a victory.

2. Get offensive production from depth pieces - With Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall on the DL to start the season, the Tribe will call on players like rookie Yandy Diaz, Abraham Almonte, Austin Jackson and Michael Martinez to cover for the loss. The bottom of the lineup will be a key in the series. Some of the aforementioned players are fighting for a spot on the major league roster, as Terry Francona will have some decision to make once Kipnis and Chisenhall are reactivated. Recent reports state Chisenhall could be ready for the home opener Tuesday.

3. Bounce back from injuries strong - Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes had injury-shortened seasons last year. Both of them are important cogs for the team. Keep an eye on both of these guys to see how they bounce back from injuries. The first key will be staying healthy, but fans hope they can return to form. If Brantley can play 140+ games and play close to his potential, it's another off-season acquisition to improve a team that won the ALCS last year.

Players to watch:

Photo from Indians.com

1. LF Michael Brantley - Keep an eye on Dr. Smooth, as he bounces back from a shoulder injury. Brantley played in only 11 games last year, never hitting his stride. Brantley posted a .310 average in 2015 and the first series of the season will serve as a chance to evaluate Brantley on a day-to-day basis. I wouldn't be surprised if he sat out one of the first three games in order to be sure he is completely rested and recovered from injury.

2. 1B Edwin Encarnacion - Say goodbye to Party at Napoli's and hello to the Edwing. Encarnacion has been one of the most consistent sluggers in baseball over the past five seasons, posting HR totals of 42, 36, 34, 39 and 42 for Toronto. The 34-year-old slugger joins a lineup, that when totally healthy, offers plenty of protection. Enjoy this guy, Cleveland, he's a true star and he's being paid like one. Encarnacion's 3yr/$60 million deal is the largest free agent deal in Tribe history.

3. 1B Mike Napoli -Typically, this section will have three Cleveland players. But, this situation is a little different. Mike Napoli revived his career last season in Cleveland, and you have to wonder if there is any bad blood after the Tribe decided not to bring Napoli back. The Rangers happily brought back the power-hitting 1B who hit a career-high 36 HR last year with the Indians. Napoli struggled in the postseason for the Tribe, going 4-for-24, but will he have a good series against his more recent former team?

Photo from Indians.com

Honorable mention C Johnathan Lucroy - Not to spend too much time on this, but Lucroy exercised his no-trade clause to cancel a trade to the Indians last season. Think he's kicking himself a bit while he watched the Tribe win the AL championship? Regardless, Lucroy hit .292 with 24 HR last year and will lead a potent Texas offense.

Interesting stat of the series: 93.5 - The over/under for the Cleveland Indians posted by Las Vegas Superbook before the season. Let us know in the comments if you're taking the over or the under!