Cleveland Indians: The 5 Most Important Series of 2017

White Sox (September 29-October 1)

The last series of the season can either be very important or just a few games of AAA players showing off their skills. For the Indians last season, every game mattered. This season will most likely be the same.

This series is large not because of the opponent (the White Sox have started to completely rebuild with the Chris Sale trade and will look to beat out the Twins for last place) but rather because of the best record in the MLB.

The Cubs will win 90-100 games this season. The Red Sox will win somewhere near that as well. The Indians know their division will be easy to win, but their thirst for a title means they would love home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

With the final games for the Indians coming at home against an easy opponent, the Indians can make-up a few games if they need to catch to any teams.

The White Sox do not have much talent left on the field, and no one expects them to make any moves toward a division title in the next year. Other than Jose Abreu hammering every pitch off Indians pitchers, the White Sox have not played well against the Tribe in recent seasons. They were 8-11 versus the Tribe last season, but most of the wins for the White Sox came at the end of the season when the Indians were resting or hurt.

Plus, if the Indians are ahead (or if the best record is out of reach), these games will showcase the Indians teams to come with Bradley Zimmer, Greg Allen, and others taking the field.

If the Indians are ahead in the standings by enough, I hear Jason Giambi might sign a one-day contract just to hit another walk-off against Chicago.