The Cleveland Guardians opened Saturday with an incredible 81-60 record, 4.5 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central before both teams took the field.
They have been among the best squads in the junior circuit all year long, against all odds.
Considering they finished 2023 with a mediocre 76-86 record and no playoffs, they have come a long way.
In fact, this year, all the odds are smiling at them.
Because they have been so consistently good, the Guardians are statistically likely to achieve big things, as @GageEHC notes on X.
“Per FanGraphs, Guards at 74.3% chance of getting one of the playoff byes. 85% to win division. 99.9% to make the playoffs. This season is FUN,” he posted.
Per FanGraphs, Guards at 74.3% chance of getting one of the playoff byes. 85% to win division. 99.9% to make the playoffs.
This season is FUN.
— Gage (@GageEHC) September 7, 2024
With a healthy division lead and less than a month of regular season left, the Guardians are virtually in the playoffs already as the 99.9 percent chances indicate.
Barring a disaster, they will be in October again.
They also boast rock-solid 85 percent chances to take the AL Central.
While it’s not impossible, it would be a miracle if the Royals or the Minnesota Twins end up winning the division.
They are just too far with precious few games to play.
What the Guardians should be working hard to achieve – they most definitely are – is that first-round bye.
The top two division winners in each league won’t play the Wild Card round, going straight to the Division Series.
At the moment, Cleveland is just half a game behind the New York Yankees for the best record in the AL and comfortable ahead of the Houston Astros, the remaining division leader.
It has been, indeed, a fun season in Cleveland.
The job is not finished, though.
NEXT: Guardians Infielder Is Finally Starting To Produce At The Plate
