The Cleveland Guardians went from moving ahead in the American League Division Series 1-0 this past weekend to facing elimination in a span of just a few days.
On Wednesday, their offense couldn’t get anything going again, dropping Game 3 in Comerica Park 3-0 and seriously jeopardizing the fate of their season.
One more loss and Cleveland will be returning home empty-handed after a brilliant regular season.
That’s the MLB postseason right there: exciting, but a cruel mistress sometimes.
“The Guardians lose Game 3, 3-0. This is the first time the Guardians have been shutout in back-to-back games since Aug. 31/Sept. 1, 2022. This is also the first time they’ve ever been shutout in back-to-back playoff games. They face elimination tomorrow,” Guardians insider Mandy Bell posted on X.
The Guardians lose Game 3, 3-0.
This is the first time the Guardians have been shutout in back-to-back games since Aug. 31/Sept. 1, 2022.
This is also the first time they've ever been shutout in back-to-back playoff games.
They face elimination tomorrow.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 9, 2024
In case you don’t remember, the Guards were also shut out in Game 2 and haven’t scored since the sixth inning of the first contest.
That’s 20 consecutive innings without scoring a single run.
It’s hard to win in October (or any month, for that matter) like that.
In fact, Cleveland has scored in just two of the 26 offensive innings they have had in the series.
Things will need to change if they want to have some hope of reaching the AL Championship Series.
On Wednesday, Steven Kwan had three hits from the leadoff spot.
Not even that way the Guardians could muster anything at the plate: they only had three other hits aside of Kwan’s output.
The pitching staff gave a valiant effort, but it all came down to the bats.
Everything is set for the win-or-go-home (for the Guards) game on Thursday: Tanner Bibee will take the ball for Cleveland, hoping that the offense can make it to Comerica Park this time.
NEXT: Guardians Announce Aggressive Game 3 Lineup
