Indians tie MLB record with their 21st consecutive win

Less than 24 hours after making history, the Indians decided to make some more. Cleveland has now won 21 games in a row after defeating the Tigers 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon, giving them sole possession of the American League record for consecutive victories, while also tying the MLB record.

The 1880 White Stockings and 1935 Cubs both won 21 games — that’s actually the same organization, by the way, not some proto-White Sox team. The 1916 New York Giants are recognized by Elias as having the longest win streak, but that’s not actually true, as they have the longest unbeaten streak: There was a tie in the middle, so it’s two separate, smaller win streaks interrupted by said tie.

The Indians, though, have no such oddities in their streak. They’ve won 21 in a row, and done so in an era where lengthy win streaks seem harder to come by, and if they win again on Thursday, they’ll stand alone in the record books.

Things looked dicey, at least comparatively, for a time. The Tigers led 1-0 early, but then the Indians quickly stormed back to make it 4-1. Detroit would score a couple more runs to come within one, but then the Indians’ bullpen came in and did what they basically always do: shut down their opponent.

The pen had a little help from Giovanny Urshela, though. Urshela has only started seven games during the win streak, but is the only player to play in every single one of the victories. Plays like this one ...

... should answer your question of “why?”

The Indians get their shot at 22 and MLB history on Thursday against the Royals, a team which, coincidentally, were victories No. 19 and 20 in the 2002 A’s then-record win streak for the American League, the one the Indians just surpassed with their victory Wednesday.