The Cleveland Guardians were eliminated from title contention on Monday night in Tampa Bay. The Rays were, plain and simple, the better team and took the American League Championship Series four games to two.
You could see some signs of wear and tear all around the Guardians’ roster, especially in the last couple of games. They have been playing high-leverage affairs since September, dating back to their fight for the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox.
That situation usually produces physical and mental fatigue. Gavin Williams started to see his velocity drop in the last couple of innings of his most recent game; Cade Smith pitched over 10 innings in the 2026 postseason and surrendered a two-run home run on Monday, and some members of the lineup looked gassed.
“It’s so obvious. You could see it on this entire rotation, this entire bullpen. If anybody ever asks, ‘What does it look like when a team is out of gas?’ You just show that game. Even all the way down to our unhittable closer, whose velocity was down. You’re like, ‘Oh, we would have had to play another series after this. We would have to play another game after this.’ This should be the end of careers. That’s how out of gas they were. This should be the final swan song before they get the commemorative party,” analyst Anthony Lima said.
“If anybody ever asks, ‘What does it look like when a team is out of gas?’ You just show that game.”
➡️ @SportsBoyTony w/ @KenCarman on how completely depleted the #Guardians looked as their postseason run came to an end. pic.twitter.com/S7yP4Sb9lj
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 20, 2026
Thankfully for Guardians fans, Game 6 of the American League Championship Series won’t be the last time we see them on the field, at least the vast majority of the players. Some of them will inevitably depart, but most of them will return for another run at the World Series title soon.
For the Guardians, however, it’s time to rest. Some of these guys have been training since November and December, well before the start of spring training. Then, the season started, and it brought with it games almost every day.
Now, it’s time to log off and enjoy the fall and the winter. It may not feel like it right now, but the Guardians gave fans an amazing season, one to be proud of.
If the ownership decides to spend a little bit more, this team can go places in 2027. The foundation is already there
NEXT: Analyst Calls For Major Changes After Guardians' Game 6 Loss
