Cleveland Indians: 3 goals to aim for with postseason hopes dwindling

3 goals for the Cleveland Indians to aim for with postseason hopes dwindling

Following back-to-back losses to the Wild Card-leading Oakland Athletics, the Cleveland Indians now find themselves 10.5 games back in the American League Central standings and nine back in the Wild Card. With 50 games left to play, it’s a steep uphill climb for the Tribe’s postseason hopes. Luckily, there are other things to focus on down the stretch even if the postseason isn’t within reach.

The month of July was the beginning of the end for Cleveland. The club posted their first losing month of the season that pushed them down in the standings. Those woes have now carried into August, despite the easier schedule, and the Tribe are staring down what could be their first losing season since 2012.

Being 4-7 in the month of August, Cleveland is all but out of playoff contention at this point. The team is struggling to play a complete game with one aspect falling by the way side each time out. Whether it be the offense finding duds at the plate, the starting pitching getting blasted or the bullpen blowing a lead, the team just can’t all click at once.

Given the state of the season, the front office and coaching staff could have some tough decisions ahead. Do they shutdown Shane Bieber? Should they cut ties with aging veterans who are set to become free agents to open opportunities for more prospects? As we near the end of the season, these are big questions to weigh.

There’s also a bright side. Just because the team isn’t winning doesn’t mean there aren’t things to work towards. The future is still bright in 2022 and beyond, so finding some answers now will provide clarity moving into next season and how the club might adjust in the offseason. So over the last 50 games of 2021, the Cleveland Indians need to focus on these three things.