20? 21? 26?
Going into today’s matinee matchup, Josh Higgs tells us that we need to step back and marvel at what the Cleveland Indians have accomplished over the past 20 games.
Let’s take a step back and admire what has occurred for the past 20 games for the Cleveland Indians. They’ve joined some exclusive company in the sport of baseball.
Only three other teams have strung together an unbeaten streak of 20 games or more. Cleveland has joined the infamous 20-win “Moneyball” Oakland A’s of 2002, the 21-win 1935 Chicago Cubs, and the 26-unbeaten streak of the 1916 New York Giants. At the time, the Oakland A’s streak was an incredible feat, something that hadn’t been accomplished in nearly 70 years. Now, the Indians have matched that same streak a mere 15 years later, and you have to think that they have their sights set on toppling it. They’re looking to tie the 35’ Cubs’ record today against the Detroit Tigers. Victory seems very feasible, as Mike Clevinger is taking the mound against Detroit’s Buck Farmer, a rematch from a September 1st contest which saw the Indians win 10–0.
Cleveland isn’t only winning games at a record pace. They are dominating teams along the way. During the 20 game streak, they’ve accumulated a plus 102 run differential, including 39 homers. Cleveland has given up only 32 runs, or 1.6 runs/game, which decimates the MLB runs/game average of 4.67/game. The Indians have miraculously shutout their opponents seven times during this streak, giving up more than two runs in only four games. They’ve scored first in 19 of the 20 games, and have trailed in only four innings total.
Over 20 games. How is this even real?
Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is batting an absurd .364/.437 (OB%)/.792 (Slugging %) triple slash line. He’s ripped nine homers, 13 extra base hits, 18 runs and 19 RBIs during the 20 game streak. Clevelands trio of dominant starting pitchers are also crushing opponents. Mike Clevinger, in his 18 innings over three starts, has given up only 16 baserunners (10 hits, 6 walks), struck out 22 and given up ZERO runs. Carlos Carrasco has amassed 29 innings over his 4 starts , allowing only 22 hits and one walk, along with 34 strikeouts and two earned runs. Lastly, Corey Kluber went 32 innings over his 4 starts, surrendering 19 hits, two walks and allowing only five earned runs while tallying 35 strikeouts. Needless to say, this is arguably the most dominant 20 games in the history of baseball, and the Indians have done this without their best offensive player in Michael Brantley, and have recently suffered an injury to another top outfielder in Bradley Zimmer.
The only question is this: with 20 wins in a row already secured, which record are they hunting?
Which record is truly correct? The 2002 Oakland A’s hold the AL record with a 20 game win streak. The 1935 Cubs hold the longest win streak of 21 wins. The 1916 New York Giants hold a 26 game unbeaten streak, but there were ties involved in the stretch. The feat the Indians have already reached is quite unprecedented, but should they stumble on their quest to 27 games, I feel that the real record should be the 21 win mark of the 1935 Cubs. Only time will tell whether history will view it so. One could almost look at the two marks as distinctly separate achievements.
Even if the Indians break all the marks, if they don’t win a World Series, in the eyes of many it will all be for nothing. Nobody will remember the 2016 Golden State Warriors being the best team ever, as they didn’t win the title. Nor the 2007 New England Patriots, who won every game except the Super Bowl. Most wouldn’t have even known the 2002 Oakland A’s had a 20 game winning streak had it not been for Michael Lewis penning the book MoneyBall, which was later adapted into a Brad Pitt led film.
We are witnessing history in the making each time the Indians take the field.
Today (September 13th) they have a chance to topple the 2002 A’s record and tie the 1935 Cubs record by beating the Tigers.
Tomorrow, they may attempt to surpass the Cubs’ record against Kansas City.
On Tuesday, September 19th, they could play the Los Angeles Angels for a shot at tying the 1916 Giants. They could become sole possessors of the record the following night if they continue to remain undefeated.
How many more will the Indians win? Who knows, but I’m excited to watch this team play some elite baseball night in and night out.
Josh Higgs is a baseball and NCAA contributor for TheOcho.ca. By day he teaches in schools or works at gas stations. By night he’s watching hours of sports and brainstorming his next article.
