A brief look at the American League playoff chase, and why the Indians are in good shape
With just over two weeks to pay in the regular season, there are six American League teams battling over the two wild card slots.
As it stands, the Indians might be in great position for the postseason based on their schedule for the remainder of the year.
Take a quick look at the schedules for all the contending teams and judge for yourself.
81-64, currently in the first wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| Oakland (3) | 85-61 | Yes |
| at Tampa Bay (4) | 79-66 | Yes |
| at Kansas City (3) | 77-69 | Yes |
| Houston (3) | 50-96 | No |
| L.A. Angels (4) | 70-76 | No |
Texas' opposition has an average record of 72-73 (.497)
79-66, currently in the second wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| at Minnesota (3) | 63-82 | No |
| Texas (4) | 81-64 | Yes |
| Baltimore (4) | 77-69 | Yes |
| at N.Y. Yankees (3) | 79-68 | Yes |
| at Toronto (3) | 67-79 | No |
Tampa Bay's opposition has an average record of 74-72 (.507)
79-68, currently 1 game out of the second wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| at Boston (3) | 89-59 | Yes |
| at Toronto (3) | 67-79 | No |
| San Francisco (3) | 66-81 | No |
| Tampa Bay (3) | 79-66 | Yes |
| at Houston (4) | 50-96 | No |
New York's opposition has an average record of 69-77 (.473)
79-68, currently 1 game out of the second wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| at Chicago White Sox (2) | 58-88 | No |
| at Kansas City (3) | 77-69 | Yes |
| vs Houston (4) | 50-96 | No |
| vs Chicago White Sox (2) | 58-88 | No |
| at Minnesota (4) | 63-82 | No |
Cleveland's opposition has an average record of 61-85 (.418)
77-69, currently 2.5 games out of the second wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| at Toronto (3) | 67-79 | No |
| at Boston (3) | 89-59 | Yes |
| at Tampa Bay (4) | 79-66 | Yes |
| Toronto (3) | 67-79 | No |
| Boston (3) | 89-59 | Yes |
Baltimore's opposition has an average record of 78-68 (.534)
77-69, currently 2.5 games out of the second wild-card slot
| Opponent | Record | Contending? |
| at Detroit (3) | 84-62 | Yes |
| Cleveland (3) | 78-68 | Yes |
| Texas (3) | 81-64 | Yes |
| at Seattle (3) | 65-81 | No |
| at Chicago White Sox (4) | 58-88 | No |
Kansas City's opposition has an average record of 72-74 (.493)
To recap, here are the remaining schedules, based on the average record of the team's opponent;
| Team | Opp record | Pct |
| Cleveland | 61-85 | .418 |
| New York | 69-77 | .473 |
| Kansas City | 72-74 | .493 |
| Texas | 72-73 | .497 |
| Tampa Bay | 74-72 | .507 |
| Baltimore | 78-68 | .534 |
The schedule lays it out - the Indians have the easiest path to the postseason. Whether or not they execute is up to them.
