Holy crap, the Cleveland Indians have won 20 baseball games in a row. That’s insane! It’s the second-longest winning streak of the last 100 years, and the longest streak in the American League over that period of time, tying the mark reached by the 2002 Oakland Athletics. But while both squads put together 20-game win streaks, the numbers show that Cleveland has managed to be more dominant.
2017 Indians 2002 Athletics
20-0 20-0
134-32 141-65
+102 +76— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) September 13, 2017
Here's how the 20-game winning streaks in the AL stack up. Indians have thrown 7 shutouts in this span (A's had 2 during their streak). pic.twitter.com/l8tSzvD34F
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 13, 2017
Win No. 20 for the Indians came on Tuesday night, when the team took down the Detroit Tigers, 2-0. Shortstop Frankie Lindor hit a solo shot in the first inning, while first baseman Carlos Santana scored on a wild pitch in the sixth. With Cy Young contender Corey Kluber on the mound, that was more than enough, as the Tribe’s ace struck out eight and allowed five hits in a complete game shutout.
While Kluber is arguably the best pitcher in the game, Cleveland’s staff in general has been lights out during this streak.
Indians rotation 18-0, 1.71 ERA during 20-game win streak. @Indians relievers 2-0, 1.34 ERA.
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) September 13, 2017
This performance by the entire team has been on another level. And as you can guess, after they took home their 20th win in a row, Twitter exploded as people tried their best to put the absurdity of this into perspective.
The #Indians have won 20 games since Aug. 24.
The #Phillies won 15 total games in May and June.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/martinrickman/status/907785143242379265
Indians, last 20 games: 20-0
Browns, last 86 games: 20-66— Devan Fink (@DevanFink) September 13, 2017
LET IT RIDE: Betting #Indians to win 20 STRAIGHT – starting with $100 and letting it all ride after each game – would've won over $884,000! pic.twitter.com/zTGL8FRaLy
— RJ Bell (@RJinVegas) September 13, 2017
I covered a team that started a season 0-21. What the Indians are doing is just slightly more impressive!
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 13, 2017
While LeBron James got in on the love on Monday night, J.R. Smith was the Cavalier to celebrate his in-town sports brethren. The Cavs decided to get in on the love, too.
20 IN A ROW. @INDIANS 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) September 13, 2017
20 straight wins for the @Indians congratulations fellas!!! #TheLand
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) September 13, 2017
And of course, since the Indians are on a massive winning streak, there were plenty of Major League jokes.
To think that the @Indians have won 20 games in a row just makes me think Jobu just might be a real thing…
— Will McKay (@wjmckay09) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/907784219258232832
https://twitter.com/SmokingBaby81/status/907785640745598976
Charlie Sheen play Francona in the movie? Or am I off base. #BaseballPun #MajorLeague pic.twitter.com/XlBnlwoXDC
— Eric (@e_baby_91) September 13, 2017
Also, I'm totally on board for when they make Major League 4.
— Jonathan Craig Hays (@TripleCrown9) September 13, 2017
The movie Major League is literally taking place in real life. Congrats to Vaughn, Taylor, Dorn and the @Indians on 20 straight. #WINdians
— Jay D'Abramo (@jaydabramo) September 13, 2017
The Indians will finish up their current home tilt with the Tigers on Wednesday before hosting Kansas City for a four-game series on Thursday. This is notable because the record for consecutive wins over the last 100 years is 21, set by the 1935 Chicago Cubs, meaning we could be two days away from watching something historic.
