On Tuesday night, the Cleveland Guardians made a big statement in the first game of a major series against the Kansas City Royals. The Guardians came from a 5-0 deficit to defeat their division rivals at Progressive Field. Cleveland is now 40-20, 5.0 games ahead of the Royals in the division.
The Guardians have had a remarkable year under first-year boss Stephen Vogt. After placing third in the AL Central last year, seeing Terry Francona retire in the offseason, and then losing ace Shane Bieber for the season after just two starts, not much was anticipated of this group.
Instead of folding, all they’ve done is be resilient, and they are off to a start hardly rivaled in the last 30 years of team history.
Per @MLBStats on social media:
The @CLEGuardians have won 40 of their first 60 games for the 3rd time in the Wild Card Era (also 1995 and 1999).
That 1995 team went to the World Series and featured one of the best lineups in baseball history with Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and Albert Belle, so that’s good company to be in.
This group is anchored by Jose Ramirez, who is hitting .272 with 58 RBI. Surprising catcher David Fry is hitting .342 and electric closer Emmanuel Clase has 19 saves and a 0.30 ERA.
The two teams will play again on Wednesday as the Guardians try to deliver another haymaker. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET as Brady Singer (KC) pitches against Nick Sandlin (CLE).
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