The 2022 campaign was incredibly successful for the Cleveland Guardians, with 92 wins, the AL Central title, and a playoffs series win.
Then, in 2023, the franchise took a step back and missed the postseason altogether.
The 2024 season, however, looks very promising for the Guards.
On Saturday, the team won its second AL Central crown in three years not because they won (they were still playing at the moment of securing the division) but instead because the Kansas City Royals lost to the San Francisco Giants.
“The Cleveland Guardians are AL Central champions. It’s the franchise’s 12th division title since the AL Central was formed 30 years ago. Cleveland’s AL Central titles: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024,” Guards Insider Zack Meisel posted on X.
The Cleveland Guardians are AL Central champions. It's the franchise's 12th division title since the AL Central was formed 30 years ago.
Cleveland's AL Central titles: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 21, 2024
As Meisel points out in his post, the Guards have won 12 of the 30 available division crowns since the birth of the AL Central.
That’s not shabby at all.
Cleveland has a prime opportunity to make some noise in October.
They still have things to play for in September, though.
Next up is securing a first-round bye in the playoffs, and they will achieve that if they finish with one of the top two records in the American League.
Before taking the field on Saturday, the Guards held a healthy 5.5-game lead over the Houston Astros for that particular objective.
Cleveland has a chance to start their playoffs journey directly in the Division Series instead of risking elimination in the Wild Card round.
Slowly, but steadily, manager Stephen Vogt and his players keep proving people wrong and showing that they belong in the elite.
NEXT: Guardians Star Reaches Cool Milestone But Is Aiming For More
