On the eve of resuming our “Indians' Summer,” our best chance to make the post season is to exceed a .600 winning percentage and win the division outright. Currently, we are at 52 – 36 with a .591 winning percentage. So, we are close…one more win in the first half would have gotten us to .602, another win would have put us ahead of Detroit at .614. For the caliber of team that this club is displaying, this is most definitely not out of the question!
Does anyone remember Birdie’s “Rocket to the Pennant” in the 1966 season? It appeared at the top of the Cleveland Press Sports page each evening, tracking Cleveland manager Birdie Tebbett's winning plan, until the season and the rocket blew up.
How about Lou Brown's "Rachel Phelps Show Girl" plan to win 32 of the remaining 41 games and the division in the movie "Major League?"
This plan however is much more realistic and attainable. Let’s call it “Indians' Summer!” Here it is...
There are 74 games remaining. We must win or tie every remaining series to reach a better than .600 winning percentage:
There are 18 games remaining in July. We must win the following:
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 4 from TEX
2 of 4 from BOS
2 of 3 from MIN
1 of 1 from TEX
11/18 = .611, Season to date would be 63 – 43 = .594
There are 28 games in August. We must win the following:
1 of 2 from TEX
2 of 4 from MIN
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 3 from NYY
1 of 2 from DET
2 of 3 from TB
2 of 3 from DET
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from MIN
1 of 1 from SEA
1 of 1 from CWS
17/28 = .607, Season to date would be 80 – 54 = .597
There are 28 games in September. We must win the following:
1 of 2 from CWS
2 of 3 from MIN
2 of 4 from LAA
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from DET
2 of 3 from OAK
3 of 4 from SEA
2 of 3 from KC
18/28 = .643, Season final total would be 98 – 64 = .605
48 of the remaining 74 games are with Central Division rivals.
This plan would require defeating Detroit 5 out of the 8 remaining games with them. Season to date we have defeated them 6 out of 10 games…5 out of 8 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Minnesota 8 out of 13 games. Season to date we have defeated them 3 out of 3 games…8 out of 13 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Chicago 8 out of 12 games. Season to date we have defeated them 4 out of 6 games…8 out of 12 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Kansas City 8 out of 12 games. Season to date we are even with them at 3 and 3…should the last place team in our division offer us so much of a challenge? 8 wins out of the remaining 12 games with KC is not only attainable but mandatory!
There are 18 games remaining in July. We must win the following:
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 4 from TEX
2 of 4 from BOS
2 of 3 from MIN
1 of 1 from TEX
11/18 = .611, Season to date would be 63 – 43 = .594
There are 28 games in August. We must win the following:
1 of 2 from TEX
2 of 4 from MIN
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 3 from NYY
1 of 2 from DET
2 of 3 from TB
2 of 3 from DET
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from MIN
1 of 1 from SEA
1 of 1 from CWS
17/28 = .607, Season to date would be 80 – 54 = .597
There are 28 games in September. We must win the following:
1 of 2 from CWS
2 of 3 from MIN
2 of 4 from LAA
2 of 3 from CWS
2 of 3 from KC
2 of 3 from DET
2 of 3 from OAK
3 of 4 from SEA
2 of 3 from KC
18/28 = .643, Season final total would be 98 – 64 = .605
48 of the remaining 74 games are with Central Division rivals.
This plan would require defeating Detroit 5 out of the 8 remaining games with them. Season to date we have defeated them 6 out of 10 games…5 out of 8 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Minnesota 8 out of 13 games. Season to date we have defeated them 3 out of 3 games…8 out of 13 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Chicago 8 out of 12 games. Season to date we have defeated them 4 out of 6 games…8 out of 12 is certainly attainable!
This plan would require defeating Kansas City 8 out of 12 games. Season to date we are even with them at 3 and 3…should the last place team in our division offer us so much of a challenge? 8 wins out of the remaining 12 games with KC is not only attainable but mandatory!
Although the plan seems difficult, it is merely a continuation of what the Tribe has already accomplished, with more focus on the importance of each and every game. We cannot let one game get away from us without making up for it the next series.
This team can win the division. By doing so, they will gain the confidence necessary to defeat the Red Sox , Tigers, and Angels that may stand in their way from playing once again this season in a National League Park!
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