Indians know if they win, ‘you can’t catch us’

CLEVELAND — The Indians have spent the past several years scoreboard watching at this point in the season. There is a distinct difference this time around, considering Cleveland is not hoping to see other clubs lose as the regular-season window closes.

“We control our own destiny,” Indians closer Cody Allen said after finishing off a 6-5 victory over the Astros on Wednesday night. “If we win, you can’t catch us.”

Allen did not only know the score when he took over in the ninth inning, but he knew exactly where the Tribe stood before the game began.

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The closer admits that he has been paying attention to rival games since May, but Wednesday offered some pregame viewing. Inside Cleveland’s clubhouse at Progressive Field, the right-hander was watching the Tigers’ afternoon tilt against the White Sox, who defeated Detroit to help the Indians increase their lead atop the American League Central to 5 1/2 games.

Long after Detroit lost, right-hander Carlos Carrasco delivered a solid performance, Mike Napoli belted a tape-measure home run, Brandon Guyer came through with a clutch pinch-hit double and Allen slammed the door with three straight strikeouts while a runner loomed on first. After Allen’s game-ending punchout of Astros All-Star Jose Altuve, the second baseman looked at the pitcher and nodded in a show of respect.

Allen and the …

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