The Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals have more than your usual nine-inning affair to play Monday at Progressive Field. The two teams will also be completing the remainder of their suspended game from Aug. 31 starting at 6:05 p.m. ET, roughly an hour before the scheduled start of their normal matchup.
Royals vs. Indians suspended game affects AL playoff races
Two games will be decided at Progressive Field on Monday night as the Indians and Royals finish off their suspended contest from Aug. 31.
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That means Monday will be particularly important for the postseason chances of both teams. The Royals are currently holding onto that final wild card spot for dear life, leading Seattle by 1.5 games after beating the Tigers on Sunday, while the Indians are still on the fringe, 3.5 games behind Kansas City.
If the Indians can hold on for the victory in the suspended game then pull out a win in the scheduled matchup for the night, then suddenly we’re talking about a 1.5-game lead for KC with two more games in the series. Cleveland might be a long shot, but this game has seemingly opened up some scenarios for the team to gain significant ground quickly.
For Kansas City, the possibility of leapfrogging Detroit for the AL Central title remains in reach. A pair of losses Monday would be costly on that front, but with just 1.5 games separating the Royals and Tigers, the next few days could be an opportunity.
The game will re-start in the bottom of the 10th inning with the Indians leading, 4-2. Nobody had batted in the frame when play was suspended by heavy rain and wind, so there will be zero outs as the Royals get a chance to extend things or possibly rally for an unprecedented walk-off victory on the road.
According to MLB.com, ticket holders to the schedule game for Sept. 22 will be able to come early and watch the conclusion of the suspended game. Gates will open at 5 p.m., so lucky fans will be able to get in and watch two baseball games get decided in one night.
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