What Is 2013 Cleveland Indians baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Cleveland Indians finished the MLB season with a 92–70 record, securing an American League Wild Card berth before losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Game on October 2, 2013.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 92–70 win-loss record
Secured the second American League Wild Card spot
Lost 4–0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Wild Card Game
Managed by Terry Francona, in his first full season
Corey Kluber emerged as a key starting pitcher with a 13–9 record

Overview

The 2013 Cleveland Indians were a competitive Major League Baseball team that marked a turning point in the franchise's resurgence. After years of sub-.500 records, the team posted a 92–70 win-loss record, their best since 2007, and returned to postseason contention under first-year full-time manager Terry Francona.

Playing at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, the Indians relied on a balanced mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent. Despite missing the American League Central title, which was won by the Detroit Tigers, they secured the second Wild Card spot in the American League, setting up a do-or-die playoff matchup.

Record and Standing: The Indians finished the regular season with a 92–70 record, the second-best in the American League behind the Boston Red Sox, but two games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.
Postseason Appearance: They qualified for the American League Wild Card Game on October 2, 2013, marking their first playoff berth since 2007.
Managerial Impact:Terry Francona, hired in 2012, led the team in his first full season and instilled a new culture of accountability and resilience.
Pitching Breakout:Corey Kluber emerged as a frontline starter, posting a 13–9 record with a 3.69 ERA over 151 innings, signaling the start of a Cy Young-caliber career.
Offensive Leader:Mikki Avila led the team with a .304 batting average and 47 stolen bases, showcasing his speed and consistency at the top of the lineup.

How It Works

The 2013 Cleveland Indians' success was built on strategic roster construction, strong starting pitching, and a resilient bullpen. The team balanced offensive production with elite run prevention, ranking among the league leaders in several defensive metrics.

Starting Rotation: The five-man rotation led by Kluber, Danny Salazar, and Scott Kazmir provided stability, with the staff combining for a 3.84 ERA.
Relief Efforts:Cody Allen became the primary closer down the stretch, recording 20 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 71 appearances.
Defensive Shifts: Under Francona, the team embraced data-driven defensive positioning, reducing opponents' batting averages on ground balls.
Offensive Strategy: The Indians ranked third in the AL in stolen bases (102), leveraging speed with Avila and Michael Bourn at the top.
Trade Deadline Moves: Acquired Marlon Byrd and Kyle Lobstein in August, adding much-needed right-handed power to the lineup.
Home Field Edge: The team went 50–31 at Progressive Field, the best home record in the American League, fueling their playoff push.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Indians compared to key AL contenders:

Team	Record	AL Rank	Run Differential	Postseason Result
Cleveland Indians	92–70	2nd Wild Card	+80	Lost Wild Card Game
Detroit Tigers	93–69	AL Central Champs	+148	Lost ALCS
Boston Red Sox	97–65	AL East Champs	+146	Won World Series
Tampa Bay Rays	92–70	1st Wild Card	+58	Lost ALDS
Oakland Athletics	96–66	AL West Champs	+100	Lost ALDS

The Indians' strong run differential and near-identical record to the Rays highlighted how tightly contested the Wild Card race was. Their season ended abruptly in the one-game playoff, but the foundation was set for sustained success in the coming years.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a pivotal moment for the Cleveland franchise, signaling the beginning of a new era of competitiveness after nearly a decade of mediocrity. It restored fan confidence and laid the groundwork for deeper playoff runs in 2016 and 2017.

Cultural Shift: Francona's leadership brought professionalism and a winning mindset, transforming team dynamics from previous seasons.
Player Development: The emergence of Kluber and Salazar proved the value of the team's investment in young pitching talent.
Front Office Strategy: Trades for Byrd and others demonstrated a proactive approach to addressing offensive weaknesses mid-season.
Attendance Boost: Progressive Field saw a 15% increase in attendance compared to 2012, reflecting renewed fan interest.
Media Attention: The team received national coverage, including a 10-game winning streak in July that captured headlines.
Legacy Impact: The 2013 season is viewed as the start of a competitive window that included an AL pennant in 2016.

Ultimately, while the season ended in disappointment, the 2013 Cleveland Indians reestablished the team as a legitimate contender and set the tone for a new chapter in franchise history.