If it’s getting late in the MLB season, that must mean the Cleveland Guardians are ready to make their move. Last year, it was a huge September comeback that helped them win the AL Central. This year, it might not take a historic rally like that one, but the Guardians have shown they can do it if necessary.
After defeating the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, the Guardians have a five-game winning streak. It has pushed them back to .500 with 30 games to go, and they are now trailing the Chicago White Sox by just 2.5 games for first place in the division.
Former MLB player Mark DeRosa is warning against counting the Guardians out, as they always seem to find a way to do whatever is necessary.
“We should never doubt the Guardians. Time and time again, they find a way to do it, playing small ball. But they also have some young influx of some youth and some fight. Travis Bazzana hasn’t had the unbelievable rookie season that some other guys have had. He threw out a four-knock game on Friday night to get back in the mix. [Chase] DeLauter has been fantastic from start to finish. They go out, and they add Jo Adell. ‘We need right-handed pop.’ He comes in, he’s gotten hot for them. Foster Griffin’s been excellent for them. I don’t know why we doubt. They could put Gavin Williams on the mound Game 1, who could stuff against anybody. Parker Messick’s been one of the best young arms in the game. Don’t be surprised,” DeRosa said.
"We should never doubt the @CleGuardians. Time and time again, they find a way to do it."
– DeRo on the Guardians after their 4th straight win brought them into a tie for the 3rd AL Wild Card spot pic.twitter.com/oNAeBJGsGo
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 24, 2026
Things looked fairly bleak for the Guardians less than a week ago, when, after a 1-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, they were five games under .500 and 5.5 games behind the White Sox. Cleveland was also trailing in a tight race with six other teams for the final AL Wild Card.
Now, after winning the series finale against the Giants, sweeping the Colorado Rockies, and defeating the Angels in this series opener, the Guardians are closing fast on the White Sox. They are also in the final wild card position.
Adell has a lot to do with this recent surge. A trade deadline acquisition from the Angels, the outfielder has seven hits and seven RBIs in his past four games.
Griffin also arrived at the deadline in a deal with the Washington Nationals, and the left-hander has won his past three decisions. That includes a gutty effort on Sunday at Colorado.
With rookies Bazzana and DeLauter looking to be up for the challenge of their first major league pennant race, and Williams and Messick leading a rotation that could be a playoff threat, the Guardians should be able to take advantage of one of the easiest remaining schedules in the American League and give their fans reasons for hope down the stretch.
NEXT: Is the Guardians Offense Starting To Turn A Corner?
