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Cleveland Indians: Ranking potential playoff opponents by desirability

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 24: Jordan Luplow #8 of the Cleveland Indians steals second during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on May 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 24: Jordan Luplow #8 of the Cleveland Indians steals second during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on May 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Mark Canha #20 after he hit a two-run home run against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 10, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Mark Canha #20 after he hit a two-run home run against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 10, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

96. . . . Oakland Athletics. 4. team

While the Oakland A’s currently have the best record in the AL (28-15), the Indians would matchup quite well if the two clubs were to play in a three-game wild card series.

Oakland has concerns in their starting rotation as they do not have a true ace and will be relying on pitchers such as Chris Bassitt, Daniel Mengden and Sean Manaea to form a postseason rotation.

The A’s strong suit is their ability to swing the bat and hit the ball out of the yard, but they will not have their top player in Matt Chapman for the postseason due to injury. Thus, there will be added pressure on Matt Olson, Marcus Semien and some of the other Oakland power-bats to carry the load without their superstar.

The Indians’ rotation matches up nicely against the A’s inexperienced arms and a lineup without Chapman; however, if the offense can’t offer run support, Cleveland may in trouble.

Oakland’s bullpen ranks seventh in the majors with former all-star Liam Hendricks serving as the closer. In a low-scoring game, the A’s bullpen simply has more depth and the offense has more power to outlast the Indians.

The A’s may not be a daunting task for the Indians, but they are not the most desirable matchup in a three-game series.

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