The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the NBA title on June 19. Since then, the Cleveland Indians have not lost a game.

In fairness to the city’s baseball franchise, their season-high, seven-game win streak actually started on June 17.

So why are the Indians pulling away from the American League Central?

Their starters are elite

During this win streak, Indians starting pitchers have a 2.09 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and are averaging more than seven innings per start.

Danny Salazar picked up his ninth win of the season Friday, but his three runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings was the worst start in this stretch for Cleveland.

Despite the lackluster outing, Salazar should be at the forefront of the AL Cy Young race.

Salazar’s 2.40 ERA ranks second among AL qualified starters, and his 28.3 percent strikeout rate leads all pitchers in that group.

They are starting to score

The Indians are averaging 6.4 runs per game during their win streak, compared to 4.6 in games prior.

The offense has improved in a lot of ways, but most importantly, the Indians are beginning to hit for power.

Prior to its current win streak, Cleveland had a .411 slugging percentage, 15th in MLB. Since June 17, the Indians are slugging .563.

They control the AL Central

The Indians won their fourth straight game against the AL Central on Friday. Much of the reason they sit at the top of the division is that they have owned their rivals.

Cleveland is 22-10 against the AL Central this season and 20-20 against all other opponents.

With the Cavaliers as champions and the Indians riding a hot streak, things appear to finally be looking up in the Cleveland sports landscape.