The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for a really busy weekend.
Starting on Saturday, they will be facing the winner of the Wild Card series between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt doesn’t want their players to be stressed or feel the heavy burden of postseason baseball pressure.
To the contrary: they want them to be relaxed and free from all the speculation, expectations and other other things associated with the pursuit of the World Series.
Yes, he’d like to win it all.
Yes, he understands what’s at stake.
But he also knows what it’s like to be a player and under which circumstances they perform the best.
“Stephen Vogt reveals what he’s most excited about as the Guardians prepare for the ALDS,” Guardians On SI posted on X.
Stephen Vogt reveals what he's most excited about as the Guardians prepare for the ALDS.#Guardians | #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/qNyL3bb1ld
— Cleveland Guardians On SI (@GuardiansOnSI) October 2, 2024
Vogt says he would love to see a packed Progressive Field cheering for the Guardians and enjoying the playoffs atmosphere.
But he also said what he told his players.
“On Sunday, I told them that the hard part is over: 162 grueling games. Now, go have fun, play your game and see what happens,” he told them.
Relaxed doesn’t necessarily mean disengaged or uninterested.
It means that the mind and body are connected towards one objective while silencing the outside noise and minimizing the pressure associated with fans expectations.
Vogt thinks this mental approach will get the better of his roster and he has every reason to do so.
We will all find out later this weekend and next week.
NEXT: Guardians Star Closer Wins Yet Another Monthly Award
