MINNEAPOLIS — What has happened to the Cleveland Guardians?
This isn’t a pinch-me moment. This is a when-did-one-of-the-Budweiser-Clydesdales-kick-me-upside-the-head moment.
On Sept. 10, they were 9 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central and 3 1/2 games out of the third wild card spot. They were basically minding their own business and hoping to finish the year with a winning record.
More Guardians coverage
Guardians complete doubleheader sweep of Twins, 8-0; tie Houston for third wild card spot
Guardians, Minnesota Twins starting lineups Sept. 20, 2025 (second game): Game 155
Guardians hit five homers to move within 1 1/2 games of first place with 6-0 win over Twins
How to watch the Guardians: See how to watch Guardians games with this handy game-by-game TV schedule.
They woke up Sunday morning trailing the first-place Tigers in the Central by one game. In the wild card, they were tied with Houston for third place with the tiebreaker in their favor based on winning the regular season series against the Astros.
Here are some numbers to help explain what exactly is going on with a team that was 15 1/2 games out of first place on July 9, 12 1/2 games out on Aug. 25 and 10 1/2 out on Aug. 29.
The Guardians, after their doubleheader sweep of the Twins on Saturday at Target Field, have won 10 straight games. It’s their first 10-game winning streak since they won 22 straight in 2017 from Aug. 24 through Sept. 14.
The last time they went on a 10-game winning streak at this time of the season was 2013. They won their last 10 games of the season to secure a wild card spot in the postseason.
They have won 15 of their last 16 games, gaining 10 games on the Tigers in the AL Central standings since Sept. 5.
They lead the big leagues with a 16-4 record in September.
At the July 31 trade deadline, the Guardians traded pitchers Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald, but did not add any help from the outside. They are an AL-best 30-17 since the deadline.
The last time they were one game out of first place in the AL Central this season was April 25.
They are a season-high 13 games over .500 at 84-71.
The Guardians, who also go by Team Streak, not only have a 10-game winning streak this season, but a 10-game losing streak. It’s the fourth time it has happened in franchise history.
In that 10-game losing streak, they were shut out five times.
Since snapping that 10-game losing streak on July 7, the Guards are an AL-leading 44-23.
In the last 16 games since Sept. 5, the Guardians’ starting rotation is 10-0 with a 1.30 ERA (15 earned runs in 103.2 innings). It has helped ease the load on a tired bullpen.
Saturday’s doubleheader sweep of the Twins marked the first time Cleveland pitchers have thrown shutouts in both ends of a doubleheader since Louie Tiant and Sudden Sam McDowell did it against Boston on Sept. 30, 1964. Slade Cecconi and Kolby Allard threw a three-hitter in Game 1 Saturday. Logan Allen and Zak Cook combined on a four-hitter in Game 2.
In their last 24 games, the Guardians much-maligned offense is hitting .337 (61 for 181) with runners in scoring position.
In the first game of Saturday’s doubleader, the Guardians hit a season-high five homers.
In Tuesday’s 7-5 win over the Tigers in 10 innings, the Guardians became the second team in franchise history to have four straight extra base hits in an extra inning.
What they’re saying
Manager Stephen Vogt: “We just need to keep winning games. We can only control ourselves. We’ve said it all along — one game at a time.”
3B Jose Ramirez: “Our goal is to make the postseason. We just have to continue playing our game.”
(Note: Ramirez became the only player in franchise history to have three 30-30 seasons (30 homers, 30 steals) when he homered in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader),
LHP Logan Allen: “We’re excited. It’s good vibes. We’re playing good ball. We want to keep it going. We know exactly what’s in front of us. We’re on a sprint to the finish line.”
Catcher Austin Hedges: “I’m well aware that we were 15 1/2 games out. It’s been pretty special. Like I tell these guys, we’re just getting started. Win today and we’re going to play for a long time this year.”
Catcher Bo Naylor: “With this group, we don’t get ahead of ourselves. It’s one game at a time. We’re playing really well right now. It’s just a matter of continuing that momentum.”
(Note: Naylor, who has struggled most of the season at the plate, is hitting .326 (15 for 46) with three homers and 13 RBI in September. In his last five games, he’s driven in 12 runs.)
Rookie LHP Parker Messick: “To be pitching in games like this is awesome. This is what I’ve always wanted. I can’t say I knew it was going to happen this year, but this race is so much fun with this team right now.”
RHP Tanner Bibee: “Making the postseason is a real thing, but we still have to go out and win baseball games. If we don’t win these games, then it doesn’t matter.”
LF Steven Kwan: “Playing meaningful baseball puts a pep in our step. We’re all playing toward one thing.”
LHP Joey Cantillo: “The energy of these games is insane.”