The Cleveland Guardians couldn’t hold on to a 2-0 lead on Monday evening against the Chicago White Sox, losing the second game of the AL Division Series 4-3 and complicating their short-term future. Chicago can eliminate Cleveland with a win on Wednesday.
Just like that, after two very bad games, the Guardians are on the brink of elimination. The team they beat for the AL Central title is about to win its spot in the Championship Series. Cleveland, however, can still do something about it.
They will have to win three straight games to make it happen, though. Everybody in the Guardians clubhouse, and everyone covering and following the team, is concerned.
“I’m concerned. This sucks. This is not palatable. So, are we putting on Vogt or are we putting it on the hitting? What are we doing? It’s like an eight-blame parlay. Just put it on everything,” analyst Ken Carman said.
"I'm concerned. This sucks. So, are we putting on Vogt or are we putting it on the hitting?"
➡️ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony react to the #Guardians Game 2 loss to the #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/TALV50sn1Q
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 6, 2026
It’s easy to blame Vogt, who insisted on using Erik Sabrowski even though he had been struggling since Game 1 and who couldn’t come up with creative ideas to help the offense. However, everyone from the ownership to the front office, the manager, the coaches, and the players deserve at least some of the blame.
It’s time to seriously question the organization’s practices when it comes to developing hitters. It appeared that the offense had turned a corner in the second half, but it has been an ugly showing in the first two games of the ALDS, with just three runs and seven hits in 18 innings.
Additionally, Vogt and the front office decided to leave Ralphy Velazquez in Triple-A, and he sure could have helped the team in the stretch run and the postseason. There’s plenty of blame to give away and assign to everyone, but it’s not time for that. Not yet, at least.
The Guardians have a small chance of pulling off the upset and taking the Division Series after losing the first two games at home for the first time since 2015. They will need to start putting some runs on the board, though.
NEXT: Former Guardians All-Star Is Looking For An MLB Job
