The Cleveland Guardians are right back in the playoff picture.
After all they’ve been through, they might not only make the playoffs, but actually do so as a divisional champion.
That’s why Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report had no choice but to bump them even higher on his weekly power rankings.
This time, the Guardians have moved from No. 11 all the way to No. 9:
“Suddenly, the Guardians. Right when they seemed to have perfected the art of just sort of being there, they have ripped off 15 wins in their last 17 games. Their starters should take a bow, as their 2.04 ERA in September is by far the league’s best,” Rymer wrote.
Stephen Vogt has done an outstanding job of keeping this team grounded and focused ahead of the most crucial stretch of the season.
Also, his decision to roll with a six-man starting rotation for a stretch in which they were going to play 24 games in as many days, including one doubleheader with just one day off, paid off big time.
They’ve had one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball for the last month and, against all odds, they’ve also fared much better at the plate than most people hoped they’d do.
To make this all the more impressive, the Guardians are doing all of this without their superstar closer.
Emmanuel Clase has been on administrative leave for months because of his alleged involvement in a sports gambling scheme.
That would’ve been more than enough to doom most teams, but the Guardians have still found a way to rally together and get stronger through the struggles.
They still need to keep their foot on the gas and close out the season on a high note, but this team looks like a legitimate threat right now.
NEXT: Guardians Notch Rare Franchise Mark
