(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND--It took extra innings with the Indians down 3-1 in the bottom of the 10th. Francisco Lindor had a RBI double to bring home Roberto Perez. Then with 2 out, the AL MVP candidate Jose Ramirez did the rest to beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 and send the Cleveland Indians to the postseason.
Let's talk about the game first, then talk postseason.
Cesar Hernandez connected in the bottom of the first with a solo home run. Then in the fifth inning, AL MVP contender Jose Abreu tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run of his own.
In the 10th inning, the White Sox added two additional runs thanks to Adam Engel and Nick Madrigal at the bottom of their lineup.
Then Lindor's double setup Ramirez's walk-off home run to send the Cleveland Indians to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and fourth time in the last five years.
Cool fact: Two other teams clinched playoff spots within minutes of the Tribe.
Below is where the MLB Postseason picture outlook as of Wednesday morning:
Now postgame reaction. First Jose Ramirez talked with Fox Sports/WTAM's Andre Knott about the walk-off.
Indians Acting Manager Sandy Alomar Jr was tasked to fill-in for Terry Francona who out most of the season with health issues. Alomar Jr talked about the challenge after the game.
And now a word from Frankie:
Here's a season in review (so far):
Indians still have five games to play for possible playoff movement. White Sox and Twins currently have the same number of wins (tiebreaker goes to the White Sox head-to-head) so the AL Central is still up for grabs.
Indians will be looking to keep their starting pitching rotation fresh as their ace and likely Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber (8-1, 1.74) will start Wednesday night for the last time this regular season. Bieber and Zach Plesac are expected to start Games 1 & 2 next week in the AL Wild Card.
If the Indians meet the White Sox during the AL Wild Card, they are expected to face Lucas Giolito (4-3, 3.53) in Game 1. Giolito will start for the White Sox Wednesday night. Bieber vs Giolito will be an early postseason preview six days before the playoffs begin on Tuesday September 29.
Coverage of Wednesday night's game begins at 5:05pm with the Ken Ganley Kia Tribe Insider with Carmen Angelo. First pitch at 6:10pm follow by Xtra Innings with Greg Brinda on Newsradio WTAM 1100AM/106.9FM.