OK, crazy thought(s):

What if the Indians’ surprisingly successful start isn’t just one of the many inexplicable occurrences throughout a lengthy 162-game major league baseball season?

What if a team coming off consecutive 90-loss seasons and employing one of the big leagues’ smallest payrolls and youngest rosters really can contend in the Central Division?

What if the Indians’ suspect rotation led by fragile ace Fausto Carmona isn’t the liability most assumed it would be?

What if Carmona is en route to returning to his Cy Young form in 2007?

What if Justin Masterson, who has been dominant en route to a 3-0 record and 1.33 ERA in three outings, can be an effective starting pitcher and isn’t better served pitching out of the bullpen?

What if the rest of the rotation — Carlos Carrasco, Josh Tomlin and Mitch Talbot — continues to give the Indians’ quality efforts?

What if Travis Hafner, who has already hit three home runs this season, is finally past all his shoulder problems and is once again one of the American League’s most feared hitters?

What if Grady Sizemore returns from microfracture surgery on his left knee and is even close to the Sizemore of old, the one that was a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award-winning center fielder?

What if Sizemore’s replacement in center and atop the order, Michael Brantley, continues to turn the corner in his development, shifts to left and somewhere else in the order and gives the Indians another offensive weapon?

What if Matt LaPorta, who has shown flashes to start the season, finally lives up to his advanced billing as a slugging run producer?

What if veteran Orlando Cabrera is rejuvenated by a position change and becomes one of the league’s best second baseman?

What if the Indians’ bullpen, which is filled with inexperienced pitchers and unproven veterans, winds up being one of the more stingier relief corps in baseball?

What if left-handed setup man Tony Sipp continues to pitch like a closer in the eighth inning, and the other lefty in the bullpen, Rafael Perez, continues to pitch like a top-shelf setup man whenever he takes the mound?

What if closer Chris Perez is as dominant in the role on a full-time basis as he was last year as a replacement for Kerry Wood?

What if long time minor league relievers Vinnie Pestano and Justin Germano pitch well enough to stay in the majors for a full season?

What if the Indians continue to get quality performances from their bench players like they have from Adam Everett, Lou Marson and Shelley Duncan?

What if unheralded Jack Hannahan continues to play third base like Brooks Robinson and hits like he did during spring training?

What if the defensive-minded Marson, who is 4-for-10 in three games, has figured out how to hit on the big league level and gives the Indians a double threat at backup catcher?

What if the Indians are able to avoid major injuries to key players throughout the season?

What if fans start showing up at Progressive Field because the Indians are winning again and the team draws some real incentive from playing at home other than watching the hot dog race from the dugout in between innings?

What if all this happens and the Indians get the production they are expected to get from offensive catalysts Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana?

What if Manny Acta, who has never enjoyed a winning season in four years as a manager, continues to push all the right buttons in his second season in Cleveland?

What if the Indians are for real?

I know, crazy thought(s).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.