By the time this column is read, the Cleveland Indians will have completed their series against the Kansas City Royals. I can’t predict how the Indians have fared but I’m guessing pretty well.

Before the Royals series, the Indians were all alone in first place in the American League Central, two games up on Kansas City. Before the start of the Kansas City series, the Tribe was on a four-game winning streak and ranked No.5 in the latest Major League Baseball Power Rankings. Only the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees could better that. Continuing, the only team to match the Indians’ 12-4 record is the Rockies. In other words, THE CLEVELAND INDIANS ARE LEADING THE AMERICAN LEAGUE!

Right now, everyone reading this is saying in their head, “They’ve only played 16 games.” After the Kansas City series it will be 19 games but that still doesn’t matter.

The Indians have already had a winning streak of eight games. We lost two in Chicago against the White Sox to open the season and more recently dropped another two in California against the Angels. Every other series has been a sweep in the favor of Cleveland.

Still not impressed?

All this has been done without the help of the franchise center fielder, Grady Sizemore. Sizemore is just returning from an injury but has already made an impact. In his first game back, Sizemore knocked a homerun into the hands of Cleveland fans.

Fellow outfielder, Shin-Soo Choo has started off slow only hitting .213 with two homeruns and seven RBI but is a sure candidate to turn things around.

The surprise no one saw has been the hitting of designated hitter, Travis Hafner. Pronk has an average of .353, four homeruns and nine RBI. The big man also has two doubles and five walks on the young season.

As a whole, the Indians are hitting like an elite team. Cleveland is third in runs scored (86), seventh in batting average (.269), eighth in on base percentage (.338) and sixth in slugging percentage (.434).

Still not convinced? Take a look at the pitching numbers.

The Indians rank fifth in ERA (3.13) and first in quality starts (13), WHIP (1.10) and BAA (.214). Fausto Carmona has had a slow start with a record of 1-2 but holds a WHIP of only 1.18. Not to mention that Josh Tomlin and Justin Masterson are a combined 6-0 to start the season. With a solid bullpen, the Indians have a strong closer in Chris Perez. Perez has five saves so far and an ERA of 0.00.

It might be early, but with the Tribe looking this good; it’s hard to go against this young team. What else is there to watch? What’s-his-name ruined the NBA playoffs. The opening rounds of the NHL playoffs are little more than designated nap times and the NFL is looming over a lockout. The Tampa Bay Rays were a young scrappy team that almost did it in 2008; let’s go get one in 2011.