The Latest MLB Playoff Picture with Two Games Left, Indians May Face a Familiar Foe in Wild Card Round

There's just two games left in the regular season for the Indians and the rest of Major League Baseball, and things are getting more interesting when it comes to the playoff picture in the American League. With the Indians on a six-game winning streak, they have moved to the fourth spot, which could see them have to take on an old foe in round one - the New York Yankees.
The Latest MLB Playoff Picture with Two Games Left, Indians May Face a Familiar Foe in Wild Card Round
The Latest MLB Playoff Picture with Two Games Left, Indians May Face a Familiar Foe in Wild Card Round /

The Indians red-hot play on the field might just earn them up to three more games at Progressive Field next week in the American League wild card round.

The Tribe's 5-4 walk-off win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night puts their winning streak at six, and the team has now overtaken second place in the American League Central, meaning that they have moved from the 7th spot to the 4th spot in that first round.

Moving up also means the team could face an interesting round one opponent if things stay as they are right now - the New York Yankees.

That's right, the Indians and Yankees could square off for the second time in four seasons in the postseason, the last time coming in 2017 when the Indians were shell-shocked by New York losing in the ALDS three games to two.

The shocking loss came after the Tribe held a two games to none series lead, only to see New York win two in the Bronx, and then win game five in Cleveland with C.C. Sabathia outpitching former Indians ace Corey Kluber.

Now though the stakes are even higher, as the first round in the playoffs is called the "wild card round," and it's a best-of-three instead of a best-of-five or best-of-seven, and all three games would be played at the higher seeded team's park, in this case Progressive Field.

The Tribe has two more games with the Pirates this weekend so plenty of things can change, including the Indians winning the AL Central, but as of now the team would host New York and then if they beat the Yankees, they would head to San Diego to play the winner of the #1 vs #8 series with the Rays and Blue Jays.

Here's the way the bracket looks after action in the Majors on Friday night.

MLPPlayoffs

Again plenty can change over the next 48 hours, but Sunday evening we will know exactly where the Indians will start the postseason, as well as who their opponent will be. 


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Matt Loede
MATT LOEDE

Matt Loede has been a part of the Cleveland Sports Media for 26 years, with experience covering Major League Baseball, the NBA & NFL and even high school and college events. He has been a part of the daily media covering the Cleveland Indians since the opening of Jacobs/Progressive Field in 1994, and spent two and a half years covering the team for 92.3FM The Fan, and covers them daily for Associated Press Radio. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattLoede