Slumping Indians Fall to +1850 in World Series Odds; Kluber Suffers Setback in Rehab

• The Indians’ 2019 World Series odds slumped from +1533 two weeks ago to +1850 today
• The Tribe were swept by the New York Mets and are 2-7 in their last nine games
• The rehab assignment of two-time Cy Young-winner Corey Kluber was shut down due to an oblique injury

Things have suddenly gone so far south for the Cleveland Indians that fans are drawing hope from the knowledge that soon, it will be Browns season.

Cleveland’s three-year reign as American League Central champions looks like it’s about to end, and thanks to a recent skid, an AL Wild Card position is no longer a certainty.

Sportsbooks have taken notice. A cross-section of leading online betting houses show the 2019 World Series odds of the Tribe skidding from +1533 to +1850 in the span of two weeks.

2019 World Series Odds

Odds taken on 08/23/19. 

The Indians haven’t won a World Series title since 1948.

Kluber News Is Oblique

The ace of the Indians won’t be rolling up his sleeves and going to work anytime soon.

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber was working a rehab assignment on the weekend with AAA Columbus . He felt a pull in his side and left the game.

Medical update on RHP Corey Kluber pic.twitter.com/RFgj4ZGOcq

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 20, 2019

He’d been scheduled to throw between 75-80 pitches. Instead, Kluber left after 20 pitches due to what was later diagnosed as an oblique injury. He’ll be shut down for two weeks and then the injury is to be reassessed.

Here's the play of Corey Kluber getting hit in the arm by a line drive. Kluber has left the game and we will pass along any updates. pic.twitter.com/WE55U3p9sU

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 2, 2019

Kluber hasn’t pitched since May 1. He was struck by a line drive in a game against the Miami Marlins and suffered a broken arm.

Cleveland’s pitching staff is also without Carlos Carrasco, on the 60-day IL after being diagnosed with leukemia. Veteran starter Trevor Bauer was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds at the MLB trade deadline.

Bright Lights, Big City, Bad Baseball

The Tribe went 2-5 on a New York road trip – 2-2 against the New York Yankees and 0-3 New York Mets. The Indians are 8-13 over their past 21 games.

They also took it on the chin via social media from Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard after Cleveland’s Twitter account slighted New York’s National League club.

We got some FRINGE for you right here, we call it a SWEEP in NYC. #LFGMhttps://t.co/d2OtJLujaz

— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) August 23, 2019

Cleveland is now 3.5 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. Meanwhile, both the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays surged past Cleveland to occupy the two AL Wild Card postseason positions.

Oakland has gone 7-1 over the past eight games. The A’s took three of four from the AL West-leading Astros, followed by a three-game sweep of the AL East-leading Yankees.

Well, well, well, @Athletics. pic.twitter.com/H9v44vcb6g

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 23, 2019

The Rays also rediscovered their mojo, going 9-4 over their last 13 contests. Tampa Bay improved to a season-high 21 games above .500.

Centrally Located

The best thing the Indians have going for them at the moment is where they play.

You know how they say real estate is about location, location, location? Well, the Tribe just happen to be located in the abysmal AL Central, a division that’s home to the hapless Chicago White Sox, hopeless Kansas City Royals and helpless Detroit Tigers.

Comparing remaining schedules for the Twins and Indians.

Above-.500 teams:
Twins — 12
Indians — 18

Below-.500 teams:
Twins — 26
Indians — 19

Below-.400 teams:
Twins — 14
Indians — 9

Royals/Tigers/WSox:
Twins — 26
Indians — 16

Opponents' winning%:
Twins — .458
Indians — .480

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 19, 2019

Cleveland is a combined 27-14 against those teams. The Indians play them 16 times over their final 44 games.

On Friday, the Tribe launch six straight against the Royals and Tigers. That’s followed by a key three-game set at Tampa Bay to close out the month.

The tribe are 12-10 in this 22 game stretch of facing teams above .500. That's not bad. This is the stretch everyone said would "make or break" the @Indians playoff chances. One more tomorrow & they are 3 back in the AL Central & 1st in the wildcard. I call that a successful run.

— Morgan Malone (@iammorganmalone) August 22, 2019

The opportunity for the Indians to right the ship is right in front of them. They won’t win the World Series but a playoff spot is there for the taking.