The 2024 Cleveland Guardians are really good.
Like… really really good.
Sitting at 51-28, top of the AL Central division, and with the second best record in baseball, they have looked unstoppable all year long, despite having the 5th lowest payroll in the league.
The season started off on a sour note, as the team lost star pitcher Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery in early April, diminishing hopes at the time of a great year.
They also would be without three of their four other starting pitchers from the previous year, losing Cal Quantrill, Gavin Williams, and Aaron Civale, as well as fan favorite right fielder Oscar Gonzales, who signed with the New York Yankees.
Under the new management of Stephen Vogt, however, the Guards are on pace to win 100 games, the first time doing so since 2017.
It starts with the pitching. Of the 20 pitchers who have played this season in the red, blue, and white, only three have a losing record.
Leading the pitchers is starter Logan Allen, with a record of 8-3. Meanwhile, fellow starter Tanner Bibee leads them in strikeouts with 106.
For the relievers, just as he did last year, Emmanuel Clase has proved once again why he is the best closer in baseball, leading the AL with 25 saves. He also has an ERA of 0.70 and has held opponents to a .159 batting average
Between all 20 pitchers, the Guards have one of the best bullpens in the league, with a team ERA of 3.50, 5th in the league.
They are also tied for 9th in the league in fielding percentage at .986 with the Colorado Rockies.
Offensively, Steven Kwan leads the way with a .373 batting average.
Also playing a crucial role is superstar Jose Ramirez who leads the team and is 4th in baseball in home runs with 21, 1st on the Guards and 2nd in baseball in RBI’s with 72, and 1st on the team in total hits with 85.
1st basemen Josh Naylor is another player playing a massive part in the Guardians attack. Batting with an average of .237, he is 2nd on the team in home runs with 20.
There is still a long way to go before the season ends, and a ton can change in the next 80 games or so.
However, one thing is for certain. The Guards are legit, and at the rate they are playing now, there is no reason to have low expectations about how far they can make it into October.
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