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Cleveland Indians can tie Minnesota Twins for first place in American League Central on Friday

On Friday, the Cleveland Indians will face the Minnesota Twins with first place in the American League Central division on the line.

On June 2, the Cleveland Indians suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Chicago White Sox that pushed their record to 29-30 and more importantly, 11.5 games out of first place in the American League Central.

And yet, nearly two months later, the Indians find themselves very much in control of their destiny entering Friday night's matchup in Minnesota with the opportunity to tie the Twins for first place in their division.

So how did we get here?

Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians' Jason Kipnis follows through on a single in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

In the time since the Tribe was last a sub-.500 team, Cleveland has amassed an MLB-best 40-16 record. Jose Ramirez and Jason Kipnis have each turned early-season slumps into mid-summer hot streaks, aiding an Indians' lineup that's received steady production from All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana, as well as reinforcements in the form of a trade deadline deal to acquire Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes.

On the mound, injuries and illness have tested the depth of a pitching staff that entered the season considered to be one of the best in baseball. Yet despite Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco currently remaining sidelined and Trevor Bauer having been traded to Cincinnati, the emergence of Zach Plesac and promising start spots from the likes of Aaron Civale and Jefry Rodriguez have helped solidify an Indians rotation that's even deeper than anyone originally thought.

What's more is that following a shaky 2018 campaign and the offseason departures of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, Cleveland's bullpen hasn't just improved -- it's arguably the best in baseball. As of Friday, the Indians' lay claim to an MLB-best .323 ERA, with closer Brad Hand possessing the second-most saves (29) in the American League.

Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor, left, is congratulated on a solo home run, his second of the game off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

Add it all up and you have not just one of the hottest teams in baseball, but one that's been MLB's best for more than two months. With three games left against the Twins this weekend, followed by three against the Boston Red Sox and four against the New York Yankees next week, the Indians find themselves in the midst of a potentially season-defining stretch.

But the real story of Cleveland's 2019 campaign just might be how it found itself in this position after facing what once appeared to be an insurmountable deficit.

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