The Cleveland Guardians are playing at a high level.
They have a solid 5-2 record after the first week of play in MLB, and their run differential validates their status as contenders.
MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted an interesting ranking, one that is being dominated by the Guards: run differential.
Updated to include every team's run differentials through one week of the MLB season, with their records in parentheses:
Cleveland: +28 (5-2)
Arizona: +21 (4-3)
Atlanta: +21 (3-2)
Pittsburgh: +16 (5-1)
L.A. Dodgers: +15 (7-2)
Boston: +15 (5-2)
Baltimore: +14 (4-2)
Texas: +12…— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 4, 2024
With a +28 run differential, the Guardians lead the league with a comfortable cushion over the second-place teams: the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves, both at +21.
It’s a sign that the Guardians are working like a well-oiled machine so far: their pitching has been good, but their offense has been surprisingly productive, too.
We would be lying if we said that playing the first four games of the season against the Oakland Athletics didn’t help matters.
The Guards, after all, did win three out of four in Oakland and that includes 8-0 and 12-3 beatings.
However, they have also played excellent baseball in Seattle against a bona fide contender in the Mariners.
In their three games against the M’s (on the road, too), Cleveland accumulated two wins and a +10 run differential.
It’s still very, very early, but it looks like the 2024 Guardians are determined to make things very interesting in the American League.
They are young, they are hungry, and they have several regulars and starters with the potential to break out this year.
At the very least, these Guards are looking much better than last year and are determined to secure their spot in the postseason.
From there, anything can happen and the players know it.
They believe.
NEXT: Guardians Honor Franchise Icon At Progressive Field
