The Indians did not want to be in a position where another miracle was required. Following a three-game sweep at the hands of the Tigers this weekend, that is precisely what Cleveland needs if it wants to take its season off life support.
The Tribe arrived in the Motor City with a chance to cut into its deficit in both the American League Central and Wild Card standings, but the club limped out of town on the heels of three disheartening defeats. Cleveland’s stalwart bullpen collapsed on Sunday afternoon, sending the Indians to a 6-4 loss that has heightened the importance of every pitch from here on out.
Really, the Indians only have one option now.
“We’ve got to deal with what’s in front of us, which is to not lose games,” Indians veteran Jason Giambi said. “It’s that pure and simple. We’ve just got to play to win every single night and see what the universe has in store for us.”
Last fall, Cleveland also needed a miracle and then reeled off 21 wins in September, finished the season with a 10-game winning streak and captured the AL’s top Wild Card spot. With 14 games left on the regular-season schedule, the Indians will need a similarly strong finish to fend off the cluster of Wild Card contenders this year.
The latest loss in Detroit knocked third-place Cleveland 6 1/2 games back of the first-place Tigers in the AL Central. In the chase for the league’s second Wild Card slot, the Indians face a five-game deficit behind the Royals, though the A’s, Mariners, Blue Jays and Yankees are also jockeying for position in the standings.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
