The Cleveland Guardians had a tremendous season this year, clinching the ALDS title for the first time since 2016.
Unfortunately, the Guardians ALCS bid was up against the Yankees, the team with more World Series titles than any other in baseball.
“I think we are going to have a big challenge facing off against the Yankees,” Bison baseball Co-Captain Ethan Malek said before the game. “They are a very, very good team with good pitching and very good offense.”
It was remarkable that the Guardians were able to come back and win game 3 of the ALCS with a score of 7-5 going into extra innings, giving them the chance to bounce back and win the series.
However, game four rolled around and the Yankees were able to catch a significant lead early on, leaving the Guardians with a tough job of catching up.
In the eighth inning, the Guardians came back and tied the game. Unfortunately, in the ninth inning the Guardians gave up hits and the Yankees won 8-6.
The Guardians took an early lead in Game five of the ALCS. Suddenly, the teams were tied 2-2, and unexpectedly, Juan Soto came in and hit a three-run homerun in the 10th inning.
The Guardians unfortunately fell short and lost the series in the final game on Oct. 19 to the Yankees 4-1 in the ALCS and their season is now over.
But Cleveland had a remarkable run bringing them so far in the postseason. They beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Sept. 19 to clinch their position in the playoffs.
At the bottom of the first, the Guardians put themselves on the board with a solo home run by Kyle Manzardo.
Unfortunately, in the top of the fifth inning, the Twins brought in two runs, putting them in the lead. The Guardians were able to catch up in the sixth inning when Brayan Rocchio hit a sacrifice fly and Josh Naylor was able to score, tying the game.
Additionally, the Guardians went into extra innings and Andres Giminez made a hit straight into right field, enabling Jose Ramirez to score, winning the game and sending the Guardians into the playoffs.
The Guardians displayed excellent defense during the Twins game. At one point the Twins had the bases loaded and the potential for a four-run play. Thankfully, pitcher Eli Morgan was able to keep Minnesota from scoring further.
Cleveland’s new manager Stephen Vogt played an important role in the team’s success this year.
“I think Stephen Vogt has been a great manager this year,” said Bison baseball Co-Captain and D1 commit Josh Rosenblitt. “However, he has had very little coaching experience,, but I think it’s clear he’s the right man for the job.”
“[The Guardians] have been playing well and we are a good baseball team,” Malek said. “Also considering our bullpen is the best in the MLB with very young guys and new additions to the team.”
After the Twins, Cleveland was set to face the Detroit Tigers for the ALDS. In the first game on Oct. 5, the Guardians were able to take the win with a score of 7-0.
Unfortunately, in games two and three of the ALDS, which occurred on Oct 7 and 9, the Guardians fell short and lost to the Tigers, forcing a fourth game.
On Oct. 10 Cleveland played in game four of the ALDS and were able to fight off elimination with a 5-4 win. David Fry was able to bring the Guardians the lead in the seventh inning with a two-run homer and a squeeze bunt during the ninth inning so Brayan Rocchio could score, putting the Guardians up 5-4.
In game five of the ALDS, the Guardians beat the Tigers 7-3 on Oct 12. and secured their spot in the ALCS for the first time since 2016. Both teams were going with a 1-1 tie when Lane Thomas came on and hit a grand slam off of rising pitcher Tarik Skubal, which kept the Guardians in the lead for the rest of the game. Fans were ecstatic about Thomas being able to hit the grand slam since Skubal has been on fire for pitching lately.
Overall, with the season coming to an end, Cleveland achieved a historic postseason run, but sadly was not able to advance to the World Series.
The season has had many ups and downs, but moving forward, there is no doubt that the team will continue to build more team chemistry with their young players and to refine their roster and keep up with consistency next season.
