The Cleveland Guardians have given their fans a reason to show up this week, after it seemed at times during the second half that these upcoming six games might not mean very much. Instead, the Guardians could move back into first place over the next few days at Progressive Field and set the stage for some more playoff home games.
After splitting a six-game road trip, the Guardians are just one-half game behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the AL Central. Cleveland will now host Chicago in a crucial three-game series that begins on Monday.
Coming off a win at the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt is setting the tone for the Guardians’ last homestand of the season, which wraps up against the Athletics over the weekend.
“It feels good. Like we’ve talked about all along, we can only control what we can do. We have an opportunity to come home. You know, very similar to last year. Hope the fans come out to support us the next three days and the next six days, the last homestand of the regular season. So we know we have a big series starting tomorrow. We’re going to enjoy this one tonight and a happy flight,” Vogt said.
(Via #Guardians audio) Stephen Vogt to reporters in Minnesota on ending their Sierra with the Twins on a high note before a monster one with the White Sox:
“Yeah, it feels good. I mean, like we've talked about all along, we can only control what we can do. You know, so we have an…— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) September 13, 2026
The Guardians fell into fourth place in the division in mid-August, and even with some trade deadline acquisitions, it didn’t seem like they were going to turn things around. But it was foolish to count them out, because after last year’s historic September rally to the division title, they have shown admirable resiliency under Vogt.
Cleveland entered the month three games behind Chicago. Even though the Guardians are just 7-6 since then, the White Sox are 4-8, including five losses in their past six games.
Now, after using an opener in the middle game against the Twins, Vogt has his pitching rotation set up for Gavin Williams to open the series against the White Sox. Then, Parker Messick will be available to start the finale on Wednesday afternoon.
If Cleveland does have success against Chicago, it will have to guard against a letdown facing the Athletics, who have the third-worst record in the majors. The Guardians will then finish the campaign on the road with three games at the Boston Red Sox and at the Kansas City Royals.
With the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the American League well within reach, the Guardians could be back at home getting ready for a postseason game before you know it.
NEXT: Steven Kwan Sends Clear Message About Guardians' Mindset
