Pittsburgh Superior In Football, But Cleveland Better At Baseball

PITTSBURGH, PA - Much was written last week before the Steelers-Browns game regarding how Pittsburgh has been far superior to Cleveland in football since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999. But when it comes to baseball this year, Cleveland has the upper hand by far.

The Cleveland Indians have been historically brilliant this season, while the Pittsburgh Pirates, to put it charitably, have not.

The Indians enter the weekend hoping to extended their American League record winning streak, which now stands at 22 games. The Tribe is now just four wins shy of matching the 1916 New York Giants for the longest winning streak in major league history.

The Pirates enter the weekend hoping to snap a two-game losing streak.

A comparison of the two team’s seasons going into Friday’s games:

• Record

Indians: 91-56, 1st place in American League Central Division
Pirates: 68-79, 4th place in National League Central Division

• Have won 22 games since:

Indians: Aug. 24 (consecutive)
Pirates: July 19 (non-consecutive)

• Longest winning streak

Indians: 22 games
Pirates: 6 games

• Record over the past 22 games

Indians: 22-0
Pirates: 8-14

Photo: Dave Dermer/Associated Press