Guardians poised to end regular season on strong note

The 2024 MLB regular season is nearing its end, and the Cleveland Guardians appear more than ready to take on what's next.

Cleveland will be in the playoffs. They have won the American League Central division for the second time in three years and the 12th time since the division was created back in 1994. They have secured a first-round bye in the American League Playoffs and get to bypass the Wild Card round entirely while they await their opponent in the ALDS.

This is quite an impressive list of achievements for a team under the guidance of a first-year manager in Stephen Vogt. Very few were willing to give this team the time of day before the season began. The general consensus seemed to be that this team would not play at the same level as those managed by Terry Francona, and 2023 would be the final year of this organization being relevant. How wrong they were.

It was obvious that last season was not an accurate representation of what this team is and what they could be, their 92-67 record with three games left this year is a testament to that. This Guardians team burst out of the gate and proved they were among the best teams in baseball this season. Even when they had their stretches of down play, they never reached the lifeless and hopeless levels that were experienced at times last season. This alone shows the drastic difference in team performance, roster construction, and vibes.

The only thing left for the Guardians to tackle is a three-game set with the Houston Astros beginning Friday night at Progressive Field. There are two things to watch out for in those final games. The first is if Jose Ramirez can be the latest member of the 40-40 club. Cleveland's third baseman is two home runs shy of reaching that milestone and will definitely be doing everything he can to reach it.

The second would be Cleveland's playoff positioning. While they are guaranteed at least the second seed in the American League Playoffs, there is a potential outcome that sees them surpass the New York Yankees in the standings and take over as the number one seed in the AL. Cleveland would need some help in the form of an upset coming from the Pittsburgh Pirates, but stranger things have happened.

For now, the Guardians are ready to end the regular season firing on all cylinders and getting ready for what should be an exciting postseason run.