With a 58-37 record at the All-Star Break, it is pretty safe to say that the Cleveland Guardians have enjoyed a successful season thus far. There were plenty of individuals who were down on this team and their chances of being contenders, but they have managed to defy those pessimistic expectations by entering the break with the best record in the American League and the second-best in baseball.
As impressive as the team has been through this part of the season, how have they performed in each individual area?
1. Overall Performance
Let's get this easy layup of a grade out of the way first. Of course, the Guardians deserve a high grade for their overall performance. Most preseason predictions had them finishing as an also-ran in the American League Central, and that is clearly not something that is on the table at this moment in time, as they currently sit 21 games over .500.
Cleveland has managed to put the struggles of 2023 behind them and has reemerged as a stronger and more formidable version of 2022's team. This team has proven that they can hang with and even beat the best teams in baseball. With their ability to battle it out with the best in the sport, they are clearly deserving of having one of the best grades possible.