Originally Published: October 3, 2005

Late meltdown costs Indians

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Neyer By Rob Neyer
ESPN Insider
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It's hard to feel too sorry for the Indians. After all, they'd be playing today if they'd managed to win just two of their last seven games (they won one of their last seven). But before we completely forget what they did manage to accomplish in 2005, let's recall that the Indians: (1) won more games than every National League team but the Cardinals; and (2) wound up with the best run differential in the American League.

Essentially, the Indians missed the postseason because they were just 22-36 in one-run games despite a bullpen that finished with the lowest ERA (2.85) in the majors. (And if you're wondering how that can happen, simply consider the possibility that a great bullpen might often allow a team to maintain a one-run deficit, whereas a lousy bullpen might often lead to a larger one.)

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