The Cleveland Guardians have played themselves back into postseason contention. Their impressive late-season surge has them right in the American League Wild Card hunt.
After winning eight of their last twelve games, the Guardians now sit at 72-70. They’re just a half-game behind the Kansas City Royals and 2.5 back of the Seattle Mariners.
Both Cleveland and Kansas City have struggled to find consistent offense but feature strong pitching staffs. Their upcoming head-to-head series looks like a critical battleground in the race for October baseball.
Cleveland’s Bats Searching for Consistency
Even with their improved spot in the standings, scoring runs still trips up the Guardians. The team ranks dead last in MLB with a .224 batting average.
Since the All-Star break, they’ve posted a weak 86 wRC+ — the lowest mark in the league. That means they’re producing runs at a rate 14% below league average in the second half.
Key Producers and Struggling Hitters
José RamÃrez keeps anchoring the lineup, ranking 11th among all MLB players in fWAR. Over the past month, Kyle Manzardo and Steven Kwan have stepped up as the club’s most productive hitters, finally giving the offense a bit of life.
But not everyone’s clicking. Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneeman, and Bo Naylor have all struggled, offering little offensive impact.
It gets worse: Nolan Jones hasn’t drawn a walk in 17 straight games. That’s a red flag for a team desperate for baserunners.
Pitching: Cleveland’s Foundation for Success
If the Guardians are going to grab a Wild Card spot, it’ll probably be because of their pitching staff. The starting rotation’s been a mixed bag with some big weaknesses, but also a few bright spots.
Slade Cecconi has struggled badly since the All-Star break with a 6.19 ERA. Logan Allen hasn’t fared much better, carrying an ugly 6.26 career ERA against Kansas City — not exactly what you want heading into this series.
Emerging Aces in the Rotation
Still, there’s some hope with Joey Cantillo and Gavin Williams. Cantillo keeps delivering solid starts.
Williams has been lights-out since August, posting an elite 2.23 ERA. He’s especially tough on left-handed hitters, who just can’t seem to get anything going against him.
Guardians’ Bullpen: Stability with a Recent Wobble
Cleveland’s bullpen has been steady all year, holding a 3.56 ERA that ranks among the league’s best. But a recent change at closer has caused a bit of turbulence.
With Emmanuel Clase on leave during a gambling investigation, Cade Smith has stepped in. His recent outings have been rocky, putting more pressure on the middle relievers to protect late-inning leads.
Defensive Impact
Defensively, the Guardians have been just okay overall. Daniel Schneeman has shined at second base, grading out as one of the better defenders in the league at his position.
On the other hand, Angel Martinez and Nolan Jones have struggled in the outfield. Their misplays and poor routes have cost the team at times.
Home vs. Winning Teams: A Closer Look
The Guardians are just 35-33 at home this season. Even more concerning, they’re 33-49 against teams above .500.
If they want a postseason berth, they’ve got to flip that script fast—starting with this crucial series against the Royals.
Head-to-Head Advantage
There’s at least one bright spot: Cleveland has taken five of nine games from Kansas City in 2024. That track record might matter, especially since the Royals are fighting their own offensive issues right now.
With the Wild Card margin razor-thin, these games are going to feel like playoff battles. Buckle up.
The Road Ahead
Only a few weeks remain in the regular season. Every pitch, at-bat, and defensive play feels bigger for the Guardians right now.
Their path to winning isn’t all that complicated. They need to grind out just enough offense, lean on their strong arms, and avoid those late-inning meltdowns that have haunted them before.
If Cleveland keeps winning series and takes advantage of head-to-head matchups, maybe—just maybe—they’ll finish their push into October.
One thing’s clear: this week’s showdown with Kansas City isn’t just another series. It could be the moment everything changes for the Guardians in 2024.
Here is the source article for this story: Guardian series preview: Two teams on the edge of the Wild Card race
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s