Series split with Baltimore is still a success for Guardians

After taking the first two games against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, the Cleveland Guardians appeared to be in prime position to win the series. Unfortunately, Baltimore had other ideas and forced a split by taking the final two games of the series. While some view the end result as a disappointment, it is still a successful series for Cleveland when viewing it from a broad perspective.

If one was to present the prospect of splitting this four-game set with the Orioles before it began, it would have been an easy yes from anyone who would have been asked. Baltimore is a very good team, and winning just two of the four games played would have given the advantage to Cleveland in the season series department. The Guardians winning the first two games appears to have impacted how most viewed the final two contests. Yes, winning the series would have been great, and that was something that was within their grasp. But again, initial expectations matter here, and that is being forgotten as people look back on how this series played out.

Even though there is nothing wrong with having new expectations when a team over or underperforms initial expectations, it is important to keep those in mind when assessing the Guardians' performance against the Orioles. Winning the first two games altered those expectations, and it went from hoping/expecting a split to winning or even sweeping Baltimore. Again, there is nothing wrong with altering what is considered acceptable. It is just worth mentioning that things can change rather quickly and to keep what was initially expected in mind when looking back on the result of this series.

This is not to say that the results of the final two games can seem a bit underwhelming,m considering how the series began. Cleveland could have put the entire league on notice with a sweep or even made a bold statement with a win. With that being said, splitting a four-game set with the second-best team in the American League is still very impressive and should be considered a success, all things considered.