The Cleveland Guardians got perilously close to the .500 mark during a recent five-game losing streak. But despite getting shut out for the third time in four games, the Guardians won two of three against the Cincinnati Reds to remain in playoff position heading into the final two months of the season.
However, Cleveland has been losing ground with the MLB trade deadline just days away. Any moves made by the nine AL teams in wild-card contention could change the tight race significantly.
Despite trailing the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, the Guardians are still clinging to a wild-card spot entering play Friday.
“With 52 games left in the regular season, the Guardians are currently a playoff team via the wild card in the American League. They also sit 2 games out of first place in the AL Central Division. The 162-game marathon officially turns into a full-blown sprint tomorrow,” Nick Camino posted.
With 52 games left in the regular season, the #Guardians are currently a playoff team via the Wildcard in the American League.
They also sit 2 games out of first place in the AL Central Division.
The 162-game marathon officially turns into a full-blown sprint tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/SVXmWXXTRI
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) July 31, 2026
Cleveland has been no lower than second place in the division for the entire season. It held the second wild-card spot until being overtaken by the surging Boston Red Sox, who had a recent 15-game winning streak.
They are not the only team gaining on the Guardians, with the Minnesota Twins just one game behind in the division, joining the Houston Astros within that margin in the wild-card race. The Baltimore Orioles are 2.5 games back, followed by the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays all within 5.5 games behind.
If the Guardians can rally and win the AL Central for a third straight season, there is a very good chance that they would earn the No. 2 seed behind the AL East winner, either the Tampa Bay Rays or New York Yankees. The Texas Rangers are the only AL West team above .500.
Cleveland could be encouraged by the fact that it remains in the mix after playing more than a month without Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez, who recently came off the injured list. While they have not provided the impact that was hoped for with their return, Ramirez is showing signs of turning things around with four hits in his past three games.
The trade deadline could provide another boost to the lineup if the Guardians are willing to be buyers.
NEXT: Insider Hints At Big Guardians Trade Deadline Move
