Why Guardians fans can’t ignore potential trap series before Tigers showdown

The last time the Cleveland Guardians welcomed the Chicago White Sox to Progressive Field, they were able to pick up a dominant three-game sweep that was highlighted by Nolan Jones’ walk-off walk in the home opener. 

While a lot has changed in the five months since then, the Guardians will need to replicate that performance against the White Sox this weekend if they want to have any chance to stick around in the postseason picture. 

The Guardians need to take care of business against the White Sox this weekend

While the Guardians still have two series remaining against the AL Central-leading Tigers and one against the Rangers, picking up a series win over the White Sox will go a long way toward pushing them further ahead in the postseason picture. 

Afte beating the Royals on Thursday thanks to a big late-game home run from C.J. Kayfus, the Guardians are now 75-71 and trailing the Mariners by 2 1/2 games for the American League’s final Wild Card spot. 

The Rangers (who were idle on Thursday) are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Guardians. 

The Tigers are traveling to Miami this weekend for a three-game series against the Marlins, the Mariners have three games remaining against the Angels and the Rangers have three games remaining in their series against the Mets. 

It’s obvious that every game is important at this point in the season for the Guardians, but this series means even more considering the White Sox are the worst team they’re going to face off against for the rest of the year. 

But just because the White Sox are on pace to lose 100 games for the third straight season doesn’t mean that they’re going to be a pushover, however. They’ve started September by going 8-2 and just picked up series wins over the Tigers and Rays. 

The good news is that the Guardians have gone 8-2 against Chicago so far this year and have four hitters in their lineup who have gotten a hit in their career off Martín Pérez, who will get the start for the White Sox tonight. 

Chicago’s strong run of play has been led by Andrew Benintendi (four home runs this month), Kyle Teel (three HR) and Chase Meidroth (.400 batting average). They may not be household names, but they’ve held their own against postseason teams so far this month, and will punish Guardians pitchers if they aren’t careful. 

When the Guardians swept the White Sox at Progressive Field in April, Chicago looked overmatched and unprepared in most facets of the game. That’s no longer the case. 

While the Guardians will have the advantage on the mound in every game thanks to Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick and Slade Cecconi starting for the Guardians, they need to handle this series with the same level of intensity and preparation that they would in their upcoming series against Detroit and Texas.