The Cleveland Guardians are making a historic run for the AL Central

Photo by Charles Murray

The Cleveland Guardians are captivating baseball fans with a remarkable push toward the playoffs. Their current run is not only a testament to the team’s determination, but also a significant moment in the franchise’s history. As the regular season draws to a close, the Guardians’ journey stands out as one of the most exciting stories in Major League Baseball.

On Tuesday, the Guardians will host the Tigers for a 3-game series. Cleveland sits one game behind Detroit in the American League Central. If the Guardians find a way to win the AL Central pennant it will be the biggest comeback in MLB history. On July 8, The Guardians faced a deficit of 15.5 games and the largest deficit ever overcome to win an MLB division pennant was 15 games by the 1978 Yankees.

Prior to July 8, the Guardians experienced a 10-game losing streak. They snapped that losing streak with a win over the Houston Astros on July 7. Everything started to slowly turn around for Cleveland from that point forward. The team just ended a 10-game winning streak with a loss to the Minnesota Twins on September 21.

Throughout the season, the Guardians have demonstrated impressive grit, overcoming injuries and adversity. They lost two pivotal pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, to suspension for alleged involvement in sports betting. Their roster features emerging young talent, each contributing to the team’s success in critical games. Thrilling comebacks have highlighted their never-say-die attitude. The players and skipper Stephen Vogt have been consistent with their focus. They do their best to keep outside noise away from their on the field play. That sense of focus and positivity is a testament to their success.

The Guardians’ playoff run has been fueled by standout performances from their pitching staff. The starting rotation, anchored by young talent, has posted a 2.78 ERA since August 25. What’s impressive is that no starter has given up more than two earned runs in the last 16 games. Cleveland’s bullpen has kept the team competitive in close contests with a 3.45 ERA landing them in the top three of MLB pens this season.

Meanwhile, the offense hasn’t been as consistent, however the bats got hot at the right time. Bo Naylor has provided clutch hitting and timely home runs, he suddenly looks like a version of Mike Piazza. If it’s not Naylor contributing we’ve witnessed 1-9 come through with hits when necessary. It’s been a combination of patience at the plate and intensity as the playoffs are within reach.

The excitement surrounding Cleveland is palpable. Vogt encouraged fans to fill the ballpark with energy saying “We couldn’t be more excited to get back home…we need our fans; we need to pack out Progressive. Our boys are going to be ready to play…we would love to see as many fans as possible. The boys are ready, we know what’s at stake, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

As the regular season winds down, all eyes are on the Guardians to see if they can complete their historic run. The playoff race remains intense, but Cleveland’s grit and determination give them a fighting chance to secure a spot in the postseason. If successful in defeating Detroit this week for the AL Central pennant, the Guardians could become one of the most inspirational sports stories of the year. With hope, heart, and hustle, the Cleveland Guardians are proving the naysayers wrong and that history is waiting to be made.