Stephen Vogt’s team meeting after loss to White Sox speaks volumes about current state of Guardians 

While the Guardians have gone through plenty of highs and lows during Stephen Vogt’s time at the top step of the dugout, the one thing that’s been consistent has been his reserved manner.

Sure, those reservations have led to some frustrating public moments (there’s only so much postgame world salad you can eat), but it seems clear that the team listens when he talks. 

And he decided to have that conversation on Sunday after the Guardians’ 5-3 loss to the White Sox that pushed Cleveland into fourth place in the American League Central. 

They may just be 1 1/2 games back of a postseason spot, but they’re in their worst stretch of play this season and missed a golden opportunity to make up ground on the division-leading White Sox. 

By no means is the Guardians season over, but the end of the season gets closer with every passing game. There’s no better time than the present to get hot. 

The Guardians are running out of time to win the American League Central 

Vogt acknowledged that he held a team meeting on Sunday with the contingent of reporters in Chicago, where he said that the main themes related to his feeling that the Guardians were trying too hard and not playing their brand of baseball. 

And Vogt’s right. While part of the reason for that can be chalked up to the change that comes with adding three big leaguers at the trade deadline, the Guardians’ losing their identity was evident before Nathaniel Lowe, Jo Adell and Foster Griffin joined the roster. 

After putting together an excellent 18-11 showing in May, the Guardians have gone under .500 in every month since. 

And perhaps the biggest reason for that change can be chalked up to injuries. While Angel Martínez, José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter have all returned from the injuries that put them on the injured list in the middle of June, Ramírez has posted a .559 OPS in 15 games since returning from his hamate injury. 

Although Martínez recorded a six-RBI game in Cleveland’s win over the White Sox on Friday, he’s also struggled since returning from his foot fracture (.590 OPS in 13 games). 

Even if the Guardians offense has gotten some strong contributions from other players in their roster, it’s going to be tough for them to be a true contender so long as Ramírez isn't fully healthy. 

But perhaps the most alarming trend has been the Guardians bullpen, which has posted a 4.86 ERA with an 11.5% walk rate over the past 30 days. 

When the Guardians are at their best, their bullpen is holding slim leads by pounding the strike zone. But they haven’t had many leads to hold recently, and the ones they have had have usually been blown by a distinct lack of command. 

The Guardians bullpen was forced to cover eight innings on Sunday due to an early rain delay, and they allowed nine walks en route to blowing Cleveland’s 2-1 lead. 

Again, the season isn’t over. The Guardians have another great chance to make a statement in their series against the Tigers this week, and they have series coming against the lowly Giants, Angels and Rockies. 

The path to success is right in front of them; it’s up to them to follow it. 

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