For a team to make the MLB playoffs, it has to win more than its share of close games. The Cleveland Guardians know this better than most, and that trend is continuing this season.
Thanks to their success in those games, the Guardians enter a crucial three-game series against the Chicago White Sox in first place in the AL Central. It is the first meeting between the teams, who have been battling it out for the top spot in the division over the past two months.
Cleveland is coming off its latest narrow loss, 2-1 to the Houston Astros on Sunday. So far in June, 10 of the Guardians’ 17 games have been decided by two or fewer runs, according to Cleveland.com, and they are 7-10 this month.
After their most recent loss, utilityman David Fry explained why close games don’t bother the Guardians, saying that it’s just become so familiar.
“I don’t think it drains you. Ever since I’ve been here, that’s all we’ve done. I think it just prepares you,” Fry said. “Your goal is to get to October and win the World Series. Those are the games you’re going to play in October. At this point, a one-run game for us is just another game. That’s just how we do it.”
The Guardians are 11-11 in one-run games this season, and they are 24-20 in games decided by two runs or fewer. Cleveland enters play Monday with a 41-37 record and a one-game lead over Chicago in the division, so it is clear how important those close games are to the Guardians.
In 2025, the Guardians were 26-20 in one-run games. That allowed them to rally from a 15.5-game deficit in the standings to overtake the Detroit Tigers and win the division for a second straight year. In three seasons under manager Stephen Vogt, Cleveland is 63-50 in one-run games.
The Guardians will face a significant challenge in this series, having to play without three of their best hitters. After all being injured in the same game the Saturday before last, Jose Ramirez, Chase Delauter, and Angel Martinez will miss their third straight series.
Fortunately, the Guardians have AL All-Star candidates Gavin Williams and Parker Messick set to start the first two games on the mound. Cleveland has won 20 of their combined 30 starts this season, although they are 2-4 in June.
There are likely to be some more close games in the Guardians’ future this week, with first place in the division on the line.
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