Guardians Have Unique Opportunity To Get Back On Track

The Cleveland Guardians, against all odds, completed a sweep of the Houston Astros, one of the hottest teams in baseball since the start of June.

They did it with a brilliant outing by starter Slade Cecconi, who tossed seven innings on Wednesday and conceded just two runs, and with home runs by Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez.

It’s part of the beauty of the game: Cleveland had lost its previous ten games leading up to the Astros series.

Many expected a sweep, but favored Houston.

After Wednesday’s results, the Guardians are 43-48 and 4.5 games removed from the last Wild Card spot.

Yes, there are multiple teams in the race, but Cleveland does have a chance if they are willing to pursue it.

Fortunately for them, the schedule for the foreseeable future is favorable.

“Following a 3-game sweep in Houston over the Astros, the Guardians next 20 games are against clubs that currently have losing records. 4 w/ White Sox, 3 w/ A’s, 4 w/ Orioles, 3 w/ Royals, 3 w/ Rockies, 3 w/ Twins. Go 15-5 or better and yes, Cleveland can get back in the Playoff mix,” Cleveland sports anchor Nick Camino posted on X.

Following a 3-game sweep in Houston over the Astros, the #Guardians next 20 games are against clubs that currently have losing records.

4 w/ White Sox
3 w/ A’s
4 w/ Orioles
3 w/ Royals
3 w/ Rockies
3 w/ Twins

Go 15-5 or better and yes, Cleveland can get back in the Playoff mix.

— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) July 10, 2025

This is the part of the schedule in which Cleveland can return to contention, facing a bunch of mediocre teams.

As Camino explains, if they can go 15-5, they will be back in the mix for the Wild Card spots with a 58-53 hypothetical record and ace Shane Bieber likely back by that point.

The Guardians are entering the most important part of the calendar, the one that will start shaping their deadline strategy.