A.M. Wahoo's: Indians' Playoff Hopes Still Alive

Taking a look at the news surrounding the Cleveland Indians and the rest of the MLB on the morning of September 20, 2016.

The Cleveland Indians are back in action tonight after Monday’s off-day, playing the first of the final 13 games of the season.

The Indians, owners of a seven-game lead over the Detroit Tigers, welcome the Kansas City Royals to town tonight in front of what should be an excited Progressive Field crowd.

Before the final stretch run of the season begins, let’s take a look at the news surrounding the Indians and the rest of the MLB in today’s edition of A.M. Wahoo’s.

Cleveland Indians News:

Cleveland Indians’ Postseason Dreams Still Alive and Well

The Cleveland Indians have been dealing with adversity since spring training. That’s when the questions surrounding the health of Michael Brantley and the timetable for his return to the team began to arise, and with the benefit of hindsight, we know how that turned out.

Fall Development Program & Instructional League Full of Top Prospects

The minor league season may have ended, but that doesn’t mean that prospects in the Cleveland Indians organization are finished with their year by any means. Beginning yesterday, the Tribe welcomed 28 minor league players to their annual Fall Development program, which provides a mix of classroom work with coaches, physical conditioning, baseball skills work, and guest speakers.

Loss of Starting Pitchers Does Not Affect Offense

The Cleveland Indians are in a great situation as we continue to inch closer to October. The team has a seven-game lead over the Detroit Tigers, and with 13 games left to play, the Indians are in a great position to clinch the team’s first AL Central title since 2007.

Indians Should Use Closers as Openers (Let’s Go Tribe)

Carlos Carrasco is out for the season and Danny Salazar is not likely to return until late in the playoffs. This puts the Cleveland Indians in a bizarre scenario: the strength that carried the team to its 7-game lead in the AL Central is suddenly a weakness.

Trevor Bauer Apologizes for Trio of Plunkings (cleveland.com)

Trevor Bauer did something on Sunday that only 15 other pitchers in franchise history have done. He plunked three opposing hitters in one game. There was no ill intent, he stressed after the contest.

MLB News:

David Ortiz Regretting Retirement Announcement (Call to the Pen)

Many fans were hopeful the great season that Ortiz is having would change the big slugger’s mind about retirement. For now there is no such luck as Ortiz is set on his retirement plans. The slugger did admit however that he regretted his decision to announce his retirement before the season began due to the wear that all the media time and ceremonies were having on him.

Tebow Committed to Mets, Won’t Eye NFL Return (ESPN.com)

Tim Tebow has an answer ready for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and any other NFL team with a void at quarterback: He’s a baseball player now.

KC Royals: Can The Boys In Blue Find One More Miracle Run? (Kings of Kauffman)

The 2016 Kansas City Royals have been a streaky team. They started the season 12-6, won 13 out of 16 from May15 to June 1, and then reeled off a 18-4 run in August inspired by the now famed Rally Mantis. They followed that 13-3 stretch in May with an eight game losing skid, and lost five straight just last week before winning three in a row from the White Sox.