Cleveland Indians Make Final Trip to West Coast for Series with the A’s

Aug 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) celebrates with third baseman Danny Valencia (26) after hitting a two-run home run off of Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (not pictured) during the third inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Indians are riding high as they make their final trip to the west coast of 2016 for a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics.

The Cleveland Indians arrive in Oakland for a three-game series against the Athletics on Monday fresh off of a dramatic series win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field and a successful 8-3 homestand. The Tribe enters play on Monday night with a seven-game lead in the Central Division, and in a battle for the best record in the American League.

This is the last trip Cleveland will make to the Pacific time zone, and the beginning of a weeklong trip that will also include four games against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. By the time the Indians return home, they will have played 20 games in 20 days.

Oakland is having a season that in many ways is the polar opposite of the Tribe. The A’s have a record of 53-71 and find themselves 19.5 games behind the Rangers. The club was a seller at the trade deadline, dealing standouts Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers, banking on a solid return of prospects to impact the franchise’s future.

With serious postseason aspirations, this is the sort of series in which Cleveland must handle its business. The Indians are 3-0 against Oakland thus far this season, outscoring the A’s 19-6 in those games, and continuing on that theme before another matchup with a first place team would be beneficial for the team.

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The Cleveland Indians are riding high as they make their final trip to the west coast of 2016 for a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics.

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