Red hot Guardians back in the playoff mix

Tanner Bibee (YouTube)

Earlier in the week we talked about the red hot Seattle Mariners who are winners of 11 of 12 games. They are not the only team in the American League who have been super lately. The Guardians have won 12 of their last 13 games, and are back in the playoff hunt too.

Cleveland is at 81 wins and 71 losses. They are now three and a half games back of the American League Central Division leading Detroit Tigers and a game and a half back of the Boston Red Sox for the final wildcard spot in the junior circuit.

This fascinating stretch started on September 5 as the Guardians won three straight games against the Tampa Bay Rays by scores of 7-1, 3-2, and 2-1. Cleveland then won three of four games against the Kansas City Royals (the only team to beat the Mariners during their impressive run), and then swept the Chicago White Sox and Tigers in divisional series. The Guardians beat the White Sox by scores of 4-0, 3-1 and 3-2. Then they beat Detroit by scores of 7-5, 4-0, and 3-1. Remember, Cleveland was six and a half games back of the Tigers as of Tuesday and now they are breathing down their necks.

Over the last week, the Guardians pitching staff as a team has been incredible. They have a team earned run average of 1.62. The Guardians have had quality starts from Tanner Bibee of Mission Viejo, California and Parker Messick of Plant City, Florida. Both Bibee and Messick pitched six innings of work and only gave up one earned run each.