CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Guardians are on the cusp of making the American League playoffs, with an opportunity to secure their spot as early as Thursday based on specific matchups. The team will have a clearer picture of their playoff fate before their game against the Detroit Tigers, contingent on the outcome of the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics game in Sacramento earlier in the day.
If the Astros suffer another loss and the Guardians triumph over the Tigers, Cleveland will be assured of at least a No. 3 wild card finish. Furthermore, the Guardians would then hold the potential to clinch the AL Central Division title outright with a win in any of their concluding three games against the Texas Rangers.
The stakes are high as Cleveland strives for its 15th playoff appearance since 1995. The Guardians’ magic number for a postseason berth is down to 2, meaning any combination of Astros losses and Guardians victories totaling 2 will secure their playoff position for the third time in four years and the fourth time in six years.
Current standings show Cleveland at 86-72, boasting a .544 winning percentage and a two-game winning streak, with a critical game against Detroit scheduled for September 25. Meanwhile, the Tigers, reeling from eight consecutive losses, stand at 85-73 with a .538 winning percentage. The Guardians, holding a one-game lead in the division, are motivated to maintain their outstanding late-season performance.
Cleveland has shown impressive resolve, rebounding from a significant deficit earlier this season. On July 9, they trailed by 15.5 games in the AL Central and were 5.5 games out of a wild card spot. By mid-August, they narrowed the gap considerably. Since snapping a 10-game losing streak on July 7, the Guardians have excelled with an AL-best 46-24 record. Their performance has been particularly outstanding post the July 31 trade deadline, achieving an AL-best 32-18 record. This momentum continued into September, with the Guardians winning 17 of their last 19 games and outscoring opponents significantly.
As the Guardians surge forward, Detroit experiences a contrasting downturn. The Tigers lost their grip on the division lead after a stretch of 155 consecutive days at the top, succumbing to 11 losses in their last 12 games. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch expressed dismay at the team’s downfall, acknowledging the challenging and unexpected turn of events.
In a critical matchup, the Guardians’ Parker Messick is set to start against the Detroit Tigers, who have not yet announced a starting pitcher. This game could further cement the Guardians’ playoff ambitions and potentially bring joy and excitement to their fans as they aim for another division title.