Five teams that have inflected most pain on the Cleveland Indians since 2016

Record against since 2016: 12-13

Painful Moments

• 2019 season series: In 2019, the Cleveland Indians missed out on the second AL Wild Card spot by three games. Thus one could argue season series with the Tampa Bay Rays, who landed that second Wild Card spot is what cost them a playoff berth. Tampa took five of six from the Indians in 2019, with the Tribe’s lone win coming during their three-game set at Progressive Field. If the Indians went 4-2 instead of 1-5 against the Rays, they would’ve forced a Game 163 with Tampa and may have extended their connective postseason berth streak to four.
• 2018 season series: Despite winning the AL Central by 13 games over the Minnesota Twins (78-84), the 2018 Indians, who finished 91-71 on the year, had their ups and downs. One team, in particular, that gave them fits were the Rays. Tampa took four out of six from the Indians in their season series and won each series as they took two out of three both at Progressive Field and at the Trop.
• The Ji-Man Choi game: Looking to finish off the 2018 season strong, the Indians traveled to the Sunshine State for a three-game series with the Rays. The Tribe appeared on their way to a Game 1 victory as they took a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth with closer Brad Hand on the mound. Hand retired the first two batters of the inning and appeared set to coast his way to an easy save, but the Rays never quit. Tommy Pham hit a single to extend the inning and two pitches later, Ji-Man Choi stunned Hand and the Indians with a two-run walk-off home run to give Tampa a stunning come from behind win at Cleveland’s expense.