2017 ALDS: Cleveland Indians peaked too early during 22-game win streak

With the Cleveland Indians falling to the New York Yankees in ugly fashion during the ALDS, we now now the Tribe peaked too early during “The Streak.”

Did the Cleveland Indians peak too early?

This questioned was debated daily on sports talk radio as the Tribe ran off 22-straight victories between August and September.

It was a first-world baseball problem. The Tribe was so busy racking up wins, Tribe Town didn’t mind debating whether this team had the ammo to win the World Series.

The debate thrived because every card carrying member of Tribe Town believed that 2017 would finally be the year its team won it all.

Yet the “Cleveland” in all us served as the impetus of doubt. And we carried our uncertanity around for a reason, as the Tribe reminded all of us why we proceeded into October with cautious hearts.

It’s not easy to admit, because that streak was a blast, but by blowing a 2-0 lead, it’s clear now that yes, the Indians peaked too early.

The top of the order betrayed us all. In Games 3, 4 and 5, the Tribe, one through for, were 5-for-45 (.111). Francisco Lindor‘s Game 2 Grand Slam will forever be a memory, but the MVP candidate will also be remembered for what was a forgettable overall series.

Along with this team’s other MVP candidate, Jose Ramirez (.100, 2-for-20), the duo were a combined 4-for-38 with just one home run and four RBI–all came via Lindor’s Grand Salami.

What happened to Kluber?

Corey Kluber, the probable AL Cy Young Award winner looked more like a joker than an ace in Terry Francona‘s deck of cards.

More from Factory of Sadness

Something had to be up with Kluber, and Tito’s got everyone guessing, by stating Kluber was “Fighting a lot of things” after the loss.

Not even the biggest Indians cynic could’ve seen the short circuiting of The Klubot.

When your ace can’t deliver nine total innings over the course of two playoff games in the same series, your bound for trouble.

Kluber’s will pick up his second piece of Cy Young hardware this winter, but all everyone will be thinking about is his postseason statline: 6.1 innings, 2.05 WHIP, 12.79 ERA.

Defense

The Tribe’s inability to catch the ball may be the biggest sign this team peaked too early.

The Indians committed seven combined errors in Games 4 and 5.

It doesn’t take the seance coming of Lou Boudreau to know that if you give a team more chances, they’re going to make you pay, and Indians learned that the hard way in defeat.

Next: 5 longest World Series championship droughts

A defense that Frangraphs ranked eight overall among MLB’s 30 teams, looked like a bottom five unit throughout the series.

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