Cleveland Indians: The final standings in a disappointing 2019 season

The Cleveland Indians did not make the postseason after picking up a respectable 93 wins in 2019. Here is how the final standings ended up.

The Cleveland Indians offseason is here too soon.

Just a few days ago spirits were high. Then came five straight losses. So it goes.

The Indians finished with a record of 93-69. That is better than how the team finished in 2018 en route to a division title. Here is how the division ended up this year:

1. Minnesota Twins: 101-61
2. Cleveland Indians: 93-69, 8 GB
3. Chicago White Sox: 72-89, 28.5 GB
4. Kansas City Royals: 59-103, 42 GB
5. Detroit Tigers: 47-114, 53.5 GB

As you can see, the White Sox and Tigers were so bad that the league decide to let them finish with only 161 games played.

The division was lost in mid-September when the Indians dropped both games of a doubleheader to the Twins. I was at the one game the Indians won in that series and the vibe was rather somber.

So on to the Wild Card race it was. Five straight losses didn’t help too much.

1. Oakland Athletics: 97-65
2. Tampa Bay Rays: 96-66
3. Cleveland Indians: 93-69, 3 GB

The Rays did drop two games to end the season, which makes the Indians finish that much more frustrating. However, I’m not sure the Rays lose those games if the Indians weren’t already eliminated. We will never know.

The fact the Indians missed the playoffs is all that matters now. One thing of note is the inflated records of the American League teams. 93 wins would normally be more than enough to qualify for October baseball.

Tanking is the difference in 2019 as the contenders got to play plenty against several 100-loss teams. The Indians even benefitted with an 18-1 record over the Tigers.

There is now a painful six month break before baseball returns. 93 wins is nice but October baseball sure would have been better.