
MLB: A Retrospective Of October 2020, ALWC (NYY/CLE)
(originally written October 2020)

Behind some mighty starting pitching, the #4 seed Indians withstood their manager's lengthy illness and significant internal issues to return to the postseason in 2020. The #5 seed Yankees seem to knock the Indians out of the playoffs every other year, and with $324M ace Gerrit Cole on board, surely expected to do so in 2020. Who would triumph in this Wild Card Series?

Remember two years ago when, two batters into the ALWC against Oakland, the Yankees grabbed a two-run lead thanks to an Aaron Judge bomb? History repeated itself against Indians SP Shane Bieber in the 2020 ALWC Series.

Cleveland went up 9-8 in the 8th and summoned CL Brad Hand—perfect in 16 regular-season save ops—for the 9th. But due in part to his own fielding mistake (scored a hit), New York pushed across two runs in the 9th. They'd hold on for a WILD 10-9 victory that took a record 4:50...even without the delays!

Behind some mighty starting pitching, the #4 seed Indians withstood their manager's lengthy illness and significant internal issues to return to the postseason in 2020. The #5 seed Yankees seem to knock the Indians out of the playoffs every other year, and with $324M ace Gerrit Cole on board, surely expected to do so in 2020. Who would triumph in this Wild Card Series?