The Cleveland Indians host the Tampa Bay Rays in the A.L. Wild Card Game Wednesday night. Who has the advantage? We study the Indians and Rays regular season matchups as both teams fight in a one-game playoff for a spot in the AL Division Series.
Who Won More Games?
The Indians have the better regular season record, going 92-70 and winning the top spot in the A.L. Wild Card. However, clinching the No. 1 Wild Card spot in this age can only grant you home field advantage, where the Indians are 51-30.
Though the Indians played better in 2013, the second-place Rays dominated them during the regular season. They went 4-2 against the Tribe. Here are the scores and highlights in these matchups.
At Tropicana Field
April 5- Rays win 4-0 behind Matt Moore
April 6- Rays win 6-0 behind Alex Cobb
April 7- Indians win 13-0 beating David Price, Justin Masterson earns W
At Progressive Field
May 31- Rays win 9-2 James Loney hits two home runs
June 1- Indians win 5-0 as Ubaldo Jimenez pitches eight scoreless innings
June 2- Rays win 11-3 behind Jeremy Hellickson
The good news for Cleveland and their fans is that the Indians have not lost three straight games to the Rays. Also, the Indians finished the regular season winning 10 straight games. When their hitting did not respond, the pitching pulled through. The Indians are the definition of a team as their young players and veterans are given them a chance to compete in 2013.
The Rays seem to have the better pitching staff in this matchup, but they are pretty young themselves. The Indians have the deeper lineup, while the Rays possess the arms. It should be a close matchup.
