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Division title just the start for Indians
- Updated: September 27, 2016
DETROIT — Jason Kipnis knows what it is like to reach the postseason. Three years ago, the Indians second baseman sprayed champagne on the final day of the regular season, when Cleveland clinched a spot in the American League Wild Card Game.
This is different than that run in 2013. On Monday night, the Indians picked up a 7-4 win over the Tigers, completing a long-awaited return to the top of the AL Central. Cleveland has its first division title since 2007, meaning it gets to avoid the one-and-done risk that comes with a Wild Card appearance.
“I’ve been through this part. I haven’t been through what comes next,” Kipnis said in the middle of the Tribe’s clinching party at Comerica Park. “You know what? In 2013, we had the Wild Card Game. I don’t want to say we were just happy to be there, but it was a first for a lot of guys on this team.
“This year, we’re not just happy to be there. We’re looking to make some noise. I know these guys are excited about what’s to come.”
Exactly what is to come will be sorted out in the waning days of the regular season.
All the AL Central-champion Indians know right now is that they will begin with a best-of-five AL Division Series. Cleveland (91-65) is currently a half-game back of the Rangers (92-65), who would open at home against the Tribe if the postseason started today. The Indians are one game back of the Red Sox (92-64), who currently project to open the ALDS against the winner of the Wild Card Game (Toronto or Baltimore at the moment).
The No. 1 seed takes on the winner of the Wild Card Game, while the Nos. 2-3 seeds in the AL match up against one another. The Red Sox and Rangers each own the tiebreaker in the event of a tie with Cleveland for either club. If Texas and Boston match up in the first round, the Red Sox would get home-field advantage due to the tiebreaker rules.
Earning home field for the first round could be key for Cleveland, which went an AL-best 53-28 with 11 walk-off wins at Progressive Field this …
