As we sit here on Tuesday, a day before Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, most fans in Cleveland are feeling some kind of emotion.
That emotion can be a variety of things, from being nervous to confident to scared to even worried.
Last year the Cleveland Indians lost in the 2016 World Series to the Chicago Cubs in extra innings of Game 7. Many people in Cleveland dwelled on that game, even Indians players immediately forgot about the game and looked forward to the upcoming 2017 season.
One thing that was an immediate thought in my head following the devastating Game 7 loss to the Cubs was that this seems all too familiar. I have seen this once before within the last couple of years.
The Kansas City Royals had the same exact thing happen. In 2014, the Royals sweep their way through the ALDS and even ALCS. The Royals ran into some trouble though once they had reached the World Series and faced the San Francisco Giants.
The Royals went to Game 7 of the World Series against the Giants and were eventually defeated.
Fast Forward to the comparison of the Cleveland Indians. The Indians in 2016 swept the Boston Red Sox, they beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1, and played the Chicago Cubs in the World Series and needed a Game 7 to determine a winner.
The Indians eventually were defeated by the Cubs, just like the Royals were defeated by the Giants in 7 games in 2014. Right after that final out of the 2016 World Series, I kept telling myself that this is exactly what happened to the Royals.
Now let’s rewind to the 2015 MLB Postseason when the Royals were challenged by the Houston Astros. The 2015 ALDS between the two teams needed 5 games between them before the Royals eventually advanced to the ALCS.
Right now, as Game 5 approaches for the 2017 ALDS between the Yankees and Indians, signs may be pointing to history repeating itself. The Indians are struggling to get out of the first round similar to how the Royals did back in 2015.
In 2015, the Royals defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2 before making their second consecutive World Series appearance. The Royals defeated the New York Mets 4-1 to become the World Series Champions in 2015.
Are you seeing the connections? History is almost repeating itself. The possibility of the Indians winning this year can happen. Going to a Game 5 against the New York Yankees will be no easy task but it is a job that can be done.
Remember the Royals needed to play in a 5 game series to get out of the ALDS, the year following playing in a Game 7 in the World Series.
It is most definitely a stretch to compare two separate teams in two separate years but it almost all adds up.
Hopefully, this is more of a confidence booster for everyone in Cleveland that is facing some kind of doubt right now on if the Indians will make it to the American League Championship Series and face the Houston Astros.
Go Tribe.
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