The Cleveland Guardians are still alive in the playoff race.
They managed to get through a close game in Florida, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 behind a strong effort from Parker Messick.
However, the bullpen also played a big part in the win, holding onto the lead and making sure to finish the job.
With that in mind, manager Stephen Vogt had an interesting choice of words to talk about that unit, according to Joe Noga:
“Afterward, Vogt called Cleveland’s bullpen his ‘favorite people in the world,’ recognizing the way each reliever stepped up throughout the series,” Noga wrote.
Vogt has every right and reason to feel that way about the bullpen.
While they haven’t been as lights out as they were last season, they’ve still played a huge part in keeping the team afloat and in the playoff race, especially in the first half of the season.
A big chunk of the Guardians’ wins and offensive outbursts came after the fifth inning, and having the bullpen there to hold down the fort was crucial to take care of business.
On top of that, the bullpen has had to endure a massive loss this season.
Superstar closer Emmanuel Clase has been away from the team for a while now.
He’s tangled up in the same sports gambling investigation that also cost the Guardians Luis L. Ortiz.
Losing a player of his caliber could’ve and should’ve been a lethal blow to most bullpens, but the Guardians’ bullpen isn’t like most bullpens.
If anything, they’ve done a solid job of keeping it together and getting by without Clase, and they will continue to be crucial to this team’s postseason aspirations.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Gets Honest About Parker Messick's Performance Sunday
