Cavaliers and Indians both struggling mightily

It’s the middle of May, when Cleveland sports fans have come to expect an overlap in the schedules of the Cavaliers and Indians.

Since the return of LeBron James four years ago, the Cavs have made deep runs in the NBA playoffs every season, this one included.

The Indians, managed by Terry Francona, have been winners in each of those season and contenders for the American League Central Division pennant.

Usually, that’s a good thing.

Right now, not so much.

Both the Cavs and Indians are struggling mightily.

The Cavaliers are down, 2-0, in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics. They are in that unenviable position after lopsided losses to the Celtics in Games 1 and 2 at TD Garden.

Now, the series shifts to Quicken Loans Arena for Games 3 and 4 on May 19 and 21, respectively.

Given the track of the series thus far, it’s pretty much imperative for the Cavs to put the bad efforts in Boston behind them and win both games on their home floor. The Celtics have been the younger, deeper and far the more purposeful team. The Cavs change that dynamic in Cleveland, or their three-year reign as Eastern Conference champs soon comes to an end.

The Indians had lost seven of their last 10 games going into a day-game series finale in Detroit on May 16.

Among all the negative factors contributing to the skid, repeated meltdowns by the team’s once-formidable corps of relief pitchers deservedly were getting the lion’s share of attention.

Bullpen failures directly led to four of those seven losses. Even the normally reliable closer Cody Allen and All-Star set-up man Andrew Miller walked off the diamond with heads bowed after failing to hold leads delivered to them.

The Cavs do not have time on their side, but at least they are coming home to try and get back in the series against Boston.

While the Indians still have three-quarters of their regular season in front of them, efforts to right their ship in the short run will have to be made in hostile environments.

After a day off May 17, the Indians open a three-game series in Houston against the defending American League and World Series champion Astros. Following another day off on April 21, they’ll be in Chicago for games against the 2016 World Series champion at Wrigley Field on May 22 and 23.

It is possible that by the time the Indians begin a seven-game homestand on May 24, they could be out of first place in the AL Central and the Cavs could be out of the NBA playoffs.

Don’t miss