The Cleveland Indians have accomplished history, as they won their 20th straight game on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. The first place Indians have tied the 2002 Oakland Athletics for the third longest winning streak in MLB history. The all-time record of 26 belongs to the 1916 New York Giants and the 2nd most belongs to the 1935 Chicago Cubs at 21. They are one win away from breaking the American League record of consecutive wins.
The 20th win was a 2-0 win over Detroit at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Corey Kluber went the distance with a five-hit shutout in front of 24,654 fans with Francisco Lindor hitting the game-winning solo home run, his 30th, in the 1st inning.
The game ended when Kluber threw his 113th pitch of the game and got Miguel Cabrera to ground out to third to seal the victory.
Historical value
This is the longest win streak in the MLB since that famous 2002 Athletics season in Oakland. The team that embraced the "Moneyball" ideology won their 20th game on September 5th, 2002 on Scott Hatteberg's walk-off home run, a moment that was re-created in 2011 in the film "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt. While the Indians did not win in such dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, the streak itself boasts some incredible feats.
The streak started on August 24th against the Red Sox and since then have swept their way through the Royals, Yankees, Tigers, White Sox and the first two of another series against the Tigers.
They have outscored their opponents 131-32, hit 39 home runs and pitched to a 1.60 ERA with seven shutouts. It was fitting that Kluber threw the complete game shutout for their 20th win being in the American League Cy Young race. It is also interesting to note that this is happening with some of their key players injured including Jason Kipnis, Andrew Miller, Michael Brantley and Boone Logan.
These numbers might help explain how the Indians have won TWENTY straight. pic.twitter.com/iJqgEJA0N1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 13, 2017
Indians season
Coming off an American League pennant in 2016, the Indians are a favorite to repeat that accomplishment and finally go all the way. They now have the longest World Series drought in the majors after the Chicago Cubs defeated them in the World Series last season.
The Tribe are 14.0 up on the Twins and will be in the postseason again this year. While the streak, however long it lasts, does not necessarily make or break their postseason chances it will be an incredible accomplishment no matter how far they go in October.
Congrats to the Cleveland Indians on their historic win streak.
Ballgame!
— WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (@Indians) September 13, 2017
Our streak is no longer a teenager. #WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWindians pic.twitter.com/qJpIOrsHge