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5 reasons the Cleveland Indians can be a sleeper in the Wild Card race

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (right) celebrates an 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (right) celebrates an 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Indians are getting hot at the right time and have the talent to make up ground in the A.L. Wild Card race.

Three clubs entered play on Tuesday within 3.5 games of the Texas Rangers for the second American League Wild Card spot, but one team just behind them in the standings could be the most dangerous contender of all.

Despite being a major disappointment for most of the season, the Cleveland Indians are just five games out of playoff position as the calendar turns to September. Cleveland has climbed back into the edge of the race by winning seven out their last 10 games, including a dominating sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the weekend and a win in the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.

That’s still not a great position to be in, and the Indians have multiple teams to climb over with little time to do it. Cleveland also has a number of challenging series coming up, including the current one with the juggernaut Blue Jays.

Still, the Indians are a lot better than they’ve shown for most of the year and have the talent to go on a major run during the season’s final month. Cleveland was among the preseason American League favorites for a reason, and is finally starting to show some of that potential.

The team’s hopes rest with its starting rotation, which, on paper, is one of the best in the Majors and is led by a true ace in Corey Kluber. To compliment that rotation, the Indians offense has been heating up lately and features a trio of dangerous hitters than can potentially provide more than enough.

While the odds aren’t great, Cleveland has done enough to become a relevant sleeper in the Wild Card race and could be very dangerous if it reaches the postseason. Here are five reasons why the Indians can make the Wild Card.

Next: Corey Kluber

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