The Cleveland Guardians are passing all of their tests right now.
They had to endure a brutal stretch of 24 games in as many days, with one day off and one doubleheader.
Fortunately, they were able to thrive.
That’s why, even though they lost the last game of that stretch, manager Stephen Vogt tipped his hat to his players.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group — 24 games in 24 days, and to do what we did and put ourselves into a position where we have an opportunity to earn our way into the postseason,” Vogt said. “That’s all you can ask for. Obviously, ending on a note like today, it can get you down, but this won’t get this group down. We’re going to come ready to go on Tuesday.”
Vogt also deserves plenty of credit for this impressive turnaround.
He decided to use a six-man starting rotation, and that proved to be crucial to their aspirations.
They also defeated some of their direct opponents for a playoff berth, including a sweep of the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series.
The Guardians are now just one game behind the Tigers in the AL Central.
Cleveland has fought its way back into a wild-card spot by playing its best baseball of the season at the most crucial point of the campaign, and can make the playoffs as a division champion, with another three-game series against Detroit coming up.
It speaks volumes about the Guardians’ resiliency, as well as Vogt’s ability to keep them grounded and motivated through their struggles.
It won’t be easy, and they still have to finish the job.
But after watching them dominate and rally together lately, it’s hard not to like this team’s chances against every opponent they have to face.
NEXT: Analyst Gets Honest About Bo Naylor's Resurgence This Season
