Cleveland Indians five-point checklist for the month of July

Escape July within reach of division

The end of July will mean that there’s only two months of the regular season left to play. Unfortunately, that will come after what is expected to be a juggernaut month for the Cleveland Indians as the upcoming schedule is riddled with the American League’s top teams.

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The Tribe will enter the month of July trailing the Chicago White Sox by less than five games in the AL Central and less than that behind in the Wild Card race. While July 1 might seem a bit premature to be talking playoffs, July’s schedule is the type of month that can bury a team in the standings.

Cleveland won’t have to win-out or take control of the standings in July. That will be incredibly difficult. However, if they can just stay within reach with two months left, that would be huge. Think five games out of the division lead. That seems like a reasonable ask. If they can do that in the month of July that could set them up for a late surge.

The Cleveland Indians have improved their winning percentage each month so far after being .500 in April. If that trend continues, or they at least stay at .500 or better in July, then they should be set for a late push towards the AL Central title.