The Cleveland Indians have lost two straight games and a crucial series on the road to the Wild Card hopeful Tampa Bay Rays.
It is time to get out of Tampa and that concrete tomb they call Tropicana Field. For some reason the Cleveland Indians are unable to win in an environment that one can hear each individual smart-ass remark in, much like Homer Simpson as Dancin’ Homer in Capital City. The only difference here being is that there were people in attendance to see Dancin’ Homer.
The Tribe may have done a bit better scoring wise Saturday but it was still not enough as they dropped the first two games of the series to the Rays. Cleveland desperately needs a win Sunday to avoid being swept by a team trying to catch them in the Wild Card race.
The Indians have been outscored 13-6 in the first two games. All six of the Indians runs came in Saturday’s loss. Cleveland needs to start hitting and scoring consistently immediately. The last month of the season begins today and the time for patience has run out. If the Indians are going to make the playoffs the time for a run is now. Cleveland still holds the first Wild Card spot and trails Minnesota by 4.5 games in the division.
Perhaps the additions to the roster with the September call ups will help Cleveland. They do need some help in the outfield with Tyler Naquin’s season now over due to an ACL year. Greg Allen can fill in from time to time but it is not a regular outfielder at this point in time.
It’s gut check time for the Indians. They are facing a difficult task, but it is not impossible. They still have six games against the Twins which could swing the AL Central drastically.
