Arodys Vizcaino has not had a FIP under 3.76 since entering the league full-time, and in his contract year he is giving it his all. Though the Braves struggled to keep pace with the Phillies, Mets, and Nationals in a tight NL East, Vizcaino had pitched well, with an ERA+ over 200 through his first 20 innings.

Shortly after the trade, however, his fastball dropped from an average of 97 down to 94 mph, and his curve went from a .075 ISO against to a .302 ISO against as he gave up three home runs across six outings. The dreaded forearm soreness diagnosis comes back from the trainers and Vizcaino is shelved, putting the team right back where it started.

Even before the trade, however, the Indians maintained a healthy lead in the Central, which does not dissipate in the absence of Vizcaino. The Tribe clinches the division shortly into September and rests up for the playoffs.

In the ALDS, the Indians get the defending champion Red Sox. After a bruising four games of back-and-forth swings, it all comes down to Corey Kluber versus David Price. Both players pitch marvelously, Kluber shedding his poor postseason from last year and Price continuing his strong run from 2018. In the eighth, Terry Francona turns to Brad Hand with the game tied at two and no other trustworthy arms available. The move works, but the Indians fail to push a run across in the top of the ninth. Sent back out for three more outs, Hand comes close, but takes the loss on a devastating home run to Mookie Betts that ends another Indians season in heartbreak.

THE INDIANS DO NOT WIN THE WORLD SERIES

Try again?