CLEVELAND, Ohio -- These are uncharted waters for the Indians.
The franchise hasn't stood in this position since 1999. A six-game cushion separates the Tribe from the second-place Tigers in the American League Central.
In 2007, the Indians trailed Detroit by a narrow margin in the division in the days leading up to the trade deadline. Their only move was to add 40-year-old Kenny Lofton to the outfield mix. They came within one victory of a World Series appearance.
The club sat one game back of the Tigers on this date in 2011. They proceeded to acquire Kosuke Fukudome and Ubaldo Jimenez.