The Cleveland Guardians have transformed their 2025 season into a captivating late-summer story.
After months of inconsistent play, Cleveland has ignited a surge that has positioned them as serious contenders in the American League Central Division race.
The Guardians currently sit just one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central standings.
This dramatic shift in momentum has caught the attention of the whole league.
Daryl Ruiter shared his bold assessment during a recent appearance on 92.3 The Fan radio show.
“The Guardians are gonna win the division. They won’t need the wild card. They’ll overtake the Tigers who have completely fallen apart. They’re gonna overtake the Tigers and win the division. There’s a good chance we’ll see Cleveland and Detroit in that Wild Card round. The Guardians are gonna make the postseason,” Ruiter said.
📞"The Guardians are gonna win the division. They won't need the wild card. They'll overtake the Tigers who have completely fallen apart."@RuiterWrongFAN is VERY confident in the #Guardians abilities to complete this historic comeback to end the season⚾🔥 pic.twitter.com/mmAy1DssgJ
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 22, 2025
Their September performance has been impressive, winning the majority of their games during this crucial stretch.
Meanwhile, Detroit has stumbled badly, dropping six consecutive games and nine of its last 10 contests.
Cleveland’s resurgence stems from improved execution in key areas.
Their pitching rotation has found consistency after struggling through much of the season.
The offensive approach has focused on timely hitting rather than power numbers, consistently producing runs in crucial situations.
Tuesday marks the beginning of a pivotal three-game series in Cleveland between these division rivals.
The Guardians hold a 6-4 advantage in the season series, giving them additional confidence entering this critical matchup.
The upcoming week could determine the AL Central champion.
A series victory over Detroit would put Cleveland in a prime position to claim the division title and secure a postseason berth without needing wild-card assistance.
NEXT: Bruce Drennan Reveals Thoughts On Guardians' Pitching Rotation
