MLB released the scheduled game times for the remainder of the division series round of the playoffs, and the schedule did not go over well with Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians fans.
The Indians and Astros are scheduled to play on Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. They play on the same days as the other ALDS, which features the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. MLB does not want the games to overlap, so they have to make a choice about who plays early and who plays late. In every case, the Astros-Indians series is scheduled to be the early game, while the Yankees and Red Sox are scheduled for later in the evening — the primetime slots. Not one Astros-Indians game is scheduled to start later than 4:37 pm ET.
MLB has announced all game times for Indians-Astros ALDS
Game 1: 2:05 pm ET (Fri)
Game 2: 4:37 pm ET (Sat)
Game 3: 1:30 pm ET (Mon)
Game 4: 4:35 pm ET (Tue)
Game 5: 4:07 pm ET (Thu)— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) October 4, 2018
The schedule reveal led to some criticism from a Cleveland media member:
I understand the national appeal of NYY-BOS, but for MLB not to grant HOU-CLE even one primetime game is a massive misstep. Grow the game by sharing its widespread talent, w/ two rosters loaded w/ stars like Lindor, Ramirez, Correa, Bregman, Altuve, Kluber, Bauer, Verlander, Cole
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) October 5, 2018
Multiple fans also grumbled about the seeming lack of respect for the Astros and Indians.
Not even one primetime game??? Cmon mlb that's disrespectful to astros fans and Indians fans
— Dakota Lehigh (@LehighDakota) October 5, 2018
so sad @MLB doesn't wish to showcase the talented rosters of the #Indians and #Astros. Felt the need to make all primetime games #redSox vs #Yankees . sad
— Don Fowler (@donf0615) October 5, 2018
@Indians have two mvp candidates but the @MLB but doesn't want to play them or the defending champion @astros on primetime #WhatAJoke
— Brad Borgione (@47BradB) October 5, 2018
I'm literally speechless at how the @Indians continuously get hosed. These post season game times are whack! Not ONE primetime start?!? @MLB thought you were better than this.
— • Shelbeee Lynn (@ShelbyyLyynn_) October 5, 2018
The @MLB not giving the @indians vs. @astros even one primetime game is why the league will never grow beyond its current status. What a slap in the face to the 2016 & 2017 AL champs.
— Mr. K (@dk2day87) October 5, 2018
I’m trying to figure out why Indians-Astros don’t have one single primetime game for this series! Absolutely ridiculous! #MLBPostseason
— Mike C (@mikecoutee94) October 5, 2018
The anger from the fans is understandable. Both teams have excellent players and have had recent success. The fans of both teams are passionate and excellent overall. But there is no bigger rivalry in baseball than the Red Sox and Yankees. There is no bigger draw than these two teams meeting in the postseason. It’s a dream for MLB and its TV partners to have the opportunity to televise this series, so of course they’re going to put it in primetime. MLB is making the right call here. The winner of the Indians-Astros series will have plenty of opportunities to be in primetime later.
