Cleveland Guardians - playing meaningful baseball in September

[old wrench]

The Cleveland Guardians are playing games that really mean something here in the middle of September

At the start of the season, all of the experts and gurus had Cleveland pegged for finishing up the season in last place in the American League Central Division

Instead, here they are in the last half of September and solidly in first place in their division

How the hell did that happen?



This team is the youngest in Major League Baseball and, as far as I know their payroll is the lowest

They are winning games without hitting the big home runs that have dominated MLB for so many years

They are playing vintage-style baseball - small-ball

They play hard, right up to the last out - and it doesn't matter if it's out number 27, or extra innings



Some folks are saying that this team is so young and inexperienced that they don't really know what they are doing, like their success is some sort of young and dumb luck - I don't believe that at all - they have confidence in themselves and each other - and they want to play baseball in October

I'm not picking the Guardians to win the World Series - there is just too much big-dollar talent standing in the way, but if they make the playoffs, it'll be one hell of an achievement, and should be enough to at least win "manager of the year" for Francona, and also give this team a very solid foundation for next season


* How about the two games against the Twins today (Saturday) -

Guardians win - both games of a day/night double-header - and the second game went 15 innings and lasted nearly 6 hours - they started the first game at 1 pm and didn't finish the second game until nearly 1 am the next day - a long day!

.

 

[old wrench]

The Cleveland Guardians just keep on rolling along - they just completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, who are their last remaining obstacle to a Division Championship

I've figured out why so many folks got their pre-season predictions wrong with the Guardians, but it surely doesn't take a genius to understand why

MLB has a statistic for virtually every aspect of the game - you name it, and there is a statistic listed in black and white

MLB is obsessed with statistics, and stats have a huge say in how the game is played

One of the very few things that there are no stats for is "team chemistry" or what you might also call "team spirit"

One other thing that baseball hasn't come up with or figured out how to apply a number to, at least not yet, is what I think of as "baseball I.Q." or "baseball instinct"- how an individual player reacts or responds to the game as it's being played - "in the moment"

The Guardians are such a young team - the majority of the current team was playing in the Minor Leagues if not this year, then last year - but even so, a good number of the young players are playing like they are older and more experienced - evidently, Cleveland must have a very good minor league player development program

The few veteran players on the team, like Jose Ramirez or Shane Bieber for instance, or even Myles Straw who is in just his second year as a full time MLB player, are all low-key guys without the inflated egos that often come with success, and they are not only good examples, but also willing mentors for the younger players

Their manager, Terry Francona, has found the right formula to get this team to believe in themselves and their capabilities

The Cleveland Guardians are a "small-market" team, so they don't get the publicity and notice that the teams from bigger cities naturally receive - so it isn't surprising if you haven't heard much about their progress this season.

But, in spite of everything, the Guardians will be playing in the post-season this year - they will be playing October baseball - every Little-Leaguers dream

If you are anything at all like me, and you like to root for and support the under-dog - keep your eye on the Guardians and at least wish them well - they are doing a really good job of beating the odds this year

I know it's just a game, and really a boy's game at that, but it's a pretty cool game, nevertheless.

.

 

[Mr Swisher]

As fan of the team it's cool to see. I wish we had more bats, but solid defense and a rotation that's really revved up since the All star break has done wonders.

A lights out bullpen has helped too.

I wasn't expecting it, I'd written the season off before it started, but it's been a lot of fun. The problem is we still feel a long way off being able to compete with our playoff rivals. I expect an immediate exit, but anything more will be gladly recieved.

 

[old wrench]

As fan of the team it's cool to see. I wish we had more bats, but solid defense and a rotation that's really revved up since the All star break has done wonders.

A lights out bullpen has helped too.

I wasn't expecting it, I'd written the season off before it started, but it's been a lot of fun. The problem is we still feel a long way off being able to compete with our playoff rivals. I expect an immediate exit, but anything more will be gladly recieved.

Yes! - a couple of big bats and some regular home runs would sure be nice, but the Guardians have found their success this year by playing "small ball", and manufacturing runs out of base-hits - singles, doubles, stolen bases, and good base running.

I was (still am) disappointed with the Dolans and their refusal to part with any money to help the team out (really nothing new for them), but the result seemed to draw the players that are on the team closer together and make them dig their heels in and play harder

Their approach is counter to what we've gotten used to seeing - teams featuring big sluggers who hit the ball out of the park on a regular basis

The Guardians are more of a "throw-back" team - back to the days when the stolen base or running from first to third on a ground ball were a big part of the game

Their pitching has really come together even though they've been without two of their starters for much of the season -

In the second half, their regular starters have found a way to pitch deep into games - seven or eight innings - and hold the opposition to just a couple or three runs - more often than not

And yeah - that bullpen!

It's been their strength, and Clase is as good of a closer as any other closer in MLB - if not the best!

Considering that this team's record last year was a losing one (2021 record: Wins 80 - Losses 82), and ownership not making any beneficial trades or scoring any free-agents to bolster the team, just winning the Central Division Championship would be a tremendous achievement - regardless of what might happen in the post-season

It should also win American League manager of the year for Francona, as well


* Just now, in tonight's game with the Texas Rangers - the Guardian manufactured another run

Naylor stole second base, and the throw to the Texas guy covering second got away from him a little bit - and Rosario, who was on third base - stole home plate and scored

The only reason that Rosario was on third, was because he turned a double into a triple just by running hard

Cleveland style baseball!

.

 

[Chip]

I totally agree with everything you’ve said.
I’ve never been a huge Francona fan because I thought he’d always over platooned players, had to many lineup changes and basically over managed ballgames. But this year he’s found the mix of players that play great in the same position daily. He’ll give players a rest on occasion but the constant platooning hasn’t happened. Perhaps he’s learned that young players need a little consistency in knowing where they’re playing and what their roles are.
So, with that being said I totally agree that Francona should be manager of the year. I think he’s totally changed his managerial style to fit the players that he has. I’ve never seen such a change like this with a manager. Usually a team is built to fit a managers style of play but like I said I’ve never seen a manager adapt to the talent he has to this extreme.

 

[old wrench]

I totally agree with everything you’ve said.
I’ve never been a huge Francona fan because I thought he’d always over platooned players, had to many lineup changes and basically over managed ballgames. But this year he’s found the mix of players that play great in the same position daily. He’ll give players a rest on occasion but the constant platooning hasn’t happened. Perhaps he’s learned that young players need a little consistency in knowing where they’re playing and what their roles are.
So, with that being said I totally agree that Francona should be manager of the year. I think he’s totally changed his managerial style to fit the players that he has. I’ve never seen such a change like this with a manager. Usually a team is built to fit a managers style of play but like I said I’ve never seen a manager adapt to the talent he has to this extreme.

Yes, Francona changed a great deal this year - for the better!

He's an example that we are never too old to learn something new

I know that the constant changing of players and playing positions got old for everyone involved - of course you need to evaluate players and find out what their strengths are, but the constant change never allowed the players to settle in and get comfortable

There were a number of young players who got lost in that constant shuffle and got cut from the Cleveland team but who went on to success with other teams

I think a part of the change has to do with Francona's personal health - the past couple of years he looked like he was on his last leg, and didn't look like he was having any fun at all

There was some question last year as to whether he would even continue to manage

He had a few medical operations done, and now seems to be in much better shape and better spirits

I think another part of the change might have had to do with the pressure of expectations - just about all of the experts had the Guardians finishing last in the division - the few that didn't have them in last place, had them for second-last

Sometimes, low expectations can loosen and free you up and allow you to try a different way of doing things

Another part of the change was the players themselves - Francona has never managed a young team like this - few managers have, at least at the Major League level

Many of these players are young enough to be Francona's kids - so there is naturally a little different dynamic involved in managing them

Francona has found a way to adapt to a situation of limited resources and get these young players to put forth their best efforts


The Guardians are lucky to have Jose Ramirez too - he's one of the most under-rated and under-valued players in the game - he left a lot of money on the table when he signed his current contract, but he now has the comfort and security of a long-term contract - he's also having one of his best years ever

.

 

[Engine Swap]

They pretty much sealed LaRussa’s fate…

(Pssst - thanks!)

 

[Killing Floor]

And they have good mustard at the stadium. Rico Carty was one of my favorite players when I was a kid.

 

[old wrench]

They pretty much sealed LaRussa’s fate…

(Pssst - thanks!)

Chicago was a huge surprise this year

I don't think LaRussa was able to ever really connect with the players - at least not in a good way

The Sox have some really good players, and their pitching staff is very good too

I think the White Sox problems this year are all tied to that intangible factor - "team chemistry"

When you look at the Guardians and the White Sox on paper - the statistics - the White Sox are the better team, no doubt about it - and the Twins are right up there with the Sox

That is what makes what the Guardians are doing so surprising - they are beating the odds

I don't know what will happen in the post-season, other than Cleveland will play in the first round, while the other Division champs - Yankers and Huston - will be sitting the first round out and waiting for winners of the first round

I like the new post-season play-off format - I think it should be more equitable than the former one-game play-off for the Wild Card teams

Huston is going to be very hard to beat - a great line-up and superior pitching

Huston's pitching is so good, that even Dusty Baker will have a hard time making bad pitching decisions

.

 

[Chip]

And they have good mustard at the stadium. Rico Carty was one of my favorite players when I was a kid.

I wanted to be Buddy Bell when I was kid. From the first game I went to 1971 and Bell played right field he was my guy. When they traded Nettles to the Yankees and move Bell to third my dad would only buy seats behind third so I could see my hero. Thanks Dad!

I was actually an usher for the Indians and Browns from 1991 to 1996 and got see Buddy daily when he was a coach. Of course I told him he was my hero and he got huge kick out of it. He was always a super nice guy. I’m so glad my hero lived up to my childhood expectations.

 

[Killing Floor]

I wanted to be Buddy Bell when I was kid. From the first game I went to 1971 and Bell played right field he was my guy. When they traded Nettles to the Yankees and move Bell to third my dad would only buy seats behind third so I could see my hero. Thanks Dad!

I was actually an usher for the Indians and Browns from 1991 to 1996 and got see Buddy daily when he was a coach. Of course I told him he was my hero and he got huge kick out of it. He was always a super nice guy. I’m so glad my hero lived up to my childhood expectations.

So cool. I’m from Atlanta but by family was from Cleveland. My aunt made an oil painting of Rico and he autographed it. That was back when stars were more accessible. Big soft spot for the Tribe and the Browns because my dad was so bought in. Good luck in the playoffs.

 

[Chip]

 

[old wrench]

Guardians clinch American League Central Championship!!!

Very few of us saw this coming

Kwan with a grand slam today - he's got to be the team's rookie of the year

.

 

[Chip]

What a game….What a TEAM!!!

 

[old wrench]

The 2022 Guardians managed to do what no-one predicted at the start of the season -

They finished the regular season with 92 wins

Yes, it's true that the Guardians could have won the under-performing American League Central with 10 fewer wins, since the second-place Chicago White Sox ended the season at 81 - 81, but the Guards went 92 - 70, not 82 - 80

They have their work cut-out for them facing Tampa Bay starting this Friday

Tampa Bay and the Guardians are similar teams in that they both rely heavily on good pitching to help them win games

Neither team has a real, legitimate power hitter - instead of scoring runs via the two or three run homer, they have to scratch-out runs however they can

If this three-game series was being played in Tampa instead of Cleveland, I'd give the Devil Rays a slight edge since the Rays have such a good at-home record (Rays 51-30 @ home, versus 35-46 @ away) - but this series will be played in Cleveland

It doesn't seem to make much difference to the Guardians where they play - they have the same record at home (46 - 35) as they do on the road (46 - 35)


* I think these will be some close, low-scoring games, and I can easily see Tampa Bay taking one of them - but - I'll go with the season-long underdog Guardians to win the series 2 - 1 in three games

October baseball

.

 

[Chip]

I would like to add that this is the best thread on the TDPRI this entire year!!!!

 

[thesamhill]

I don't know anything about baseball but I love this thread.

Edit: @Chip ha!

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

Good luck to your Guardians. Always great to see old time baseball the way the sport was meant to be played.

I'll be rooting for you up till they face the Yankees, then back to my regular team.

 

[old wrench]

Guardians win !!!

Score - Cleveland 2, Tampa Bay 1

The Guardians win the first game of this three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays

This game was a real pitcher's duel - both starting pitchers pitched just great

Time-wise, it was a short game - the pitchers just kept mowing-down the hitters

Each starting pitcher gave up just one home run, the difference being the Ray's was a solo homer and the Guard's was a two-run homer

Neither of these teams are big home run hitters, but the home run is what made the difference in this game


Jose Ramirez had the game-winning hit, a two-run homer

Shane Bieber pitched 7-2/3 innings and gave up one run

Emmanuel Clase pitched 1-1/3 scoreless innings to close out the game and get the save


Tampa Bay's pitching was very good - good enough to win most games, the Rays just came up a little bit short today


I expect another good pitching match-up tomorrow, along with another low scoring game

.

 

[Chip]

Sticks on the mound tomorrow