Free siding? Fun facts about Indians' streak

Club's accomplishments extend well beyond 15 straight wins

September 8th, 2017

Back in July, Cleveland-based Universal Windows Direct, in a celebration of its 15th anniversary, offered full refunds on services (windows, siding, doors, roofs, etc.) performed that month if the Indians won 15 straight games at any point the rest of the regular season.
Think about that. There were only three months left in the season, and the Tribe had won 14 straight just last year, breaking a franchise record that had stood for 74 years. You didn't need to have clean windows to see how this would probably pan out.

Well, amazingly, windows and streaks go well together right now, because on Thursday night, the Indians beat the White Sox, 11-2, at Guaranteed Rate Field to win their new franchise-record 15th straight. The company had taken out an insurance policy on the promotion, so it's more than happy to see more than 250 customers -- many of whom celebrated Thursday's game at a watch party at Progressive Field -- cash in on about $1.7 million worth of work.
Franchise-best winning streaks for all 30 teams
So that's a fun little story surrounding this streak. Here are 15 other fun facts about the Windians' run.
1. It's the first 15-game win streak by any club within a single season since the Oakland A's American League-record run of 20 straight in the "Moneyball" season of 2002.
We'll have to see if Brad Pitt is interested in playing Terry Francona in the movie about this Tribe team.
2. It's just the 27th 15-game win streak in MLB since 1901.
3. It has given the Indians the best run differential in baseball.
With a plus-199 mark, the Indians have pushed past the mighty Dodgers (plus-177) in this department.
4. During the streak, the Indians have a plus-81 differential.
They're averaging 7.3 runs per game and allowing just 1.9. Entering Thursday, only seven MLB teams (not counting the Tribe) had a better run differential for the season.
5. It has happened with a bunch of stars on the shelf.
Uber-reliever (knee), All-Star left fielder (ankle) and second baseman (hamstring) have all been unavailable. Starter missed all but two-thirds of an inning of the streak due to a sore elbow, has missed six straight games because of a stiff neck and center fielder missed three games while in concussion protocol. None of the absences have affected the club.
6. Neither has the schedule.
The Indians played back-to-back doubleheaders during this streak. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last team to have a winning streak of at least 15 games that included multiple doubleheader sweeps was the 1977 Royals, who had three such sweeps in a 16-game streak. It has happened only five times since 1940.
7. It has occurred in conjunction with the D-backs' ongoing 13-game win streak.
When was the last time two MLB teams had simultaneous winning streaks of at least 13 games? Never!
8. It has been keyed by the starting rotation.
AL Cy Young Award and Pitcher of the Year candidate was his usual dominant self on Thursday night, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, with 13 strikeouts in seven innings. And with that, the starting staff's ERA during this stretch went… up! It rose from 1.86 to 1.91.

9. Or maybe it has been keyed by the bats.
The Indians have a .322/.401/.591 slash line during the streak. Their .992 OPS in that span is the best in MLB by more than 130 points.
10. OK, the bullpen has probably helped, too.
The 1.76 ERA out of the 'pen in these 15 games is the best in baseball in that timeframe by more than half a run.
11. It has amplified the AL MVP Award case of .
He was out of the lineup Thursday due to a sore wrist, but his 1.395 OPS since the start of the streak (Aug. 24) is the best in MLB in that span. Ramirez has seven homers, eight doubles and a triple during the streak, and he has reached base in nine of his 13 first-inning plate appearances in that timeframe.

12. It's all about first impressions.
The Indians have scored first in every game during the streak. After jumping on Mike Pelfrey for seven runs in the first three innings Thursday night, they have outscored their opponents 53-11 in innings one through three during this stretch.
13. It has set two franchise marks.
Not only is this the longest win streak in club history, but the Tribe swept an 11-game road trip for the first time in its history, too. The last team to win every game on a road trip of 11 games or more was the 1957 Reds.
14. The 15th straight win came against a White Sox team that has won just 16 games in the entire second half.
15. It's part of a larger trend in which the Indians are 36-11 dating back to July 21.
That's the best winning percentage (.766) in baseball in that span -- by 136 points. During this time, the Tribe's AL Central lead has gone from a half-game to 11 games. The division is done, but the streak lives on.