Cleveland Indians: Power rankings and standings with two weeks to go

The Cleveland Indians have a lot to prove over the final two weeks of the season as the team looks to avoid missing the postseason.

It is a good thing the Cleveland Indians are off Monday night. I can’t handle the arguments about whether one should watch the Indians or the Browns.

The Twitter fights hurt my head.

An off day allows us all to sit back and take a peek at where the Indians stand at this point in time.

No. 10 overall is where, at least when it comes to ESPN’s MLB power rankings. That is not a terrible spot but it does have the Indians behind the three teams they are chasing for playoff spots.

Speaking of those teams, the Indians are currently 4.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central race. The Twins, who came in at No. 5 overall in the power rankings, are in action tonight against the Chicago White Sox. Few are expecting a White Sox win, though one would truly be a Christmas miracle.

Next up is the Oakland A’s, ranked No. 6 overall. The A’s are taking on the lowly Kansas City Royals tonight and open the night with a three-game lead over the Indians for the first Wild Card spot.

The schedule for the Twins and A’s likely has the Indians focusing on the Tampa Bay Rays as the team to catch in the playoff race. The No. 7 ranked Rays are also off tonight before beginning a two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow night.

The Rays have quite the tough schedule the rest of the way and remain the team for the Indians to catch. Of course, the Indians are still in contention for the Central and the top Wild Card spot. I just don’t want to set expectations too high for a team that continually loses must-win games.

Perhaps they can prove us all wrong and open the playoffs at home. That would be quite the story after the way this season has gone up to this point, with only two weeks remaining.