AL Playoff Picture: 3 pretenders that have no chance at a World Series
By Tim Boyle
2) AL playoff picture: The Cleveland Guardians are surging but for what purpose?
The Cleveland Guardians are looking like they will capture the American League Central. They’ve been very good and as long as momentum stays in their corner, it should be theirs.
Much like the Rays, the Guardians did very little to improve their roster at the trade deadline or even in the offseason before this whole race got started. They’ve been in the mode of attempting to be relevant while spending as little money as possible. Somehow, it has worked out well for them this year.
A third seed in the AL playoff race is very possible for the Guardians. Capturing the American League Central would make them the hosts against the third wild card team. If they’re lucky, it’s a team like the Rays who capture it. Maybe then could they advance to play a tougher opponent.
The Guardians don’t have much hitting outside of Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez. They have occasional contributors from others but a look from the top to the bottom of the lineup and it’s clear that’s not how they’ll win games.
Their starting rotation, while good at the top, does lack some depth and leaves little room for error. Winning a round or two could happen. It’s when they are faced with a team in the ALCS when things would get bumpiest.
After more than a half-century of not winning a World Series, Cleveland will not get one in 2022. This club doesn’t compare to many of the others that have gotten there and failed. This year’s Guardians team, if they make it to the postseason, is nothing more than a benefactor of a weak division.