The Tampa Bay Rays have eliminated the Cleveland Indians from the 2013 MLB Playoffs courtesy of their 4-0 victory in the AL Wild Card game.  The Rays have been on a wild ride needing to win in Toronto in Game 162 and in Texas in Game 163 in order to earn a berth in the playoffs.  They then beat Cleveland in Game 164 to advance to the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox.

I want to take a few moments to criticize the fact that the Cleveland Indians were even in the playoffs to begin with this season.  Of course, you can only play the teams on your schedule and you shouldn’t be punished for the fact that your division had 2 of the 5 worst teams in all of baseball but I am going to rant for a minute anyway.  The Chicago White Sox were the third worst team in MLB this season.  The Cleveland Indians went 17-2 against the White Sox.  They went 6-1 against the Houston Astros.  The Astros were the WORST team in all of baseball.  Finally, they went 13-6 against the tied for fourth worst team in baseball, the Twins.  The Indians went 36-9 against 3 of the worst 5 teams in all of baseball.  That means the Indians were 56-61 against the rest of the teams on their schedule.  UNDER .500.  They were 4-15 against the Tigers.  They were 1-6 against the Yankees and 1-6 against the Red Sox!  They were 2-5 against the Rays.  The Indians got in to the postseason because their last 10 games were against the Astros, White Sox and Twins.

It was a great season for the Indians.  It was nice that they made the postseason.  It’s something to build off of and take into next season…when they will again get to beat up on the White Sox, Twins and Astros…whom will still be among the worst teams in baseball.  Maybe next season though, the Indians can beat some other teams as well.  But it should have come as no surprise to anyone that the night ended like this for the Indians: