CLEVELAND, Ohio — A week ago, the Guardians were clinging to first place in the AL Central. The Royals had just left Progressive Field having won three of four games to cut their lead in the division to one game.
The Royals definitely seemed to be the better team.
Seven days later, the Guardians hold a 4 1/2 game lead over the Twins and 5 1/2 games over the Royals in the Central Division with 23 games remaining.
So what happened?
Well, the Guardians may have salvaged their season by beating the Royals on August 28, avoiding a four-game sweep and putting them back in first place by one game. Since then, Cleveland has won five of its last six games, while the Royals have lost seven in a row.
The Royals also lost top RBI man Vinnie Pasquantino (broken right thumb) and starter Michael Lorenzen (left thigh).
The Twins have now played 3:3.
The Guardians, for their part, won two of three games against the Pirates over the weekend before beating the Royals on Monday and Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium. Cleveland’s mini-run was marked by great work from their newly formed rotation of Matthew Boyd, Alex Cobb, Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee.
In just one week, the situation has gone from desperation to “We knew all along that we could do it.” Now the last 23 games are coming up.
Time for Trivia
The Guardians’ current winning streak was fueled by the suggestion that bacon pancakes would make a good Labor Day breakfast. Let’s continue that with a stack of blueberry pancakes and some orange juice. But before you take that first bite, ask yourself this question: Despite Tuesday night’s win over the Royals, and regardless of Wednesday night’s outcome, the Guards will finish the regular season with a loss to KC. When was the last time that happened? The answer is below.
Magic number: 20
Cleveland reduced its magic number to secure the AL Central to 20 with 23 games to go after second-place Minnesota lost at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The Guardians have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Twins and 5 1/2 games over the Royals in the Central. They also have a magic number of 14 to secure a playoff spot because Boston lost to the Mets in the wild-card race.
The game tonight
The Guardians have a chance to complete a three-game sweep of the Royals with a win tonight. Ben Lively (11-6, 3.92) is scheduled to play for Cleveland against Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.12) at 7:40 p.m.
The Guardians won Lively’s last start, 10-8, against the Pirates, but he allowed six runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, with three strikeouts and one walk.
This will be Lively’s second start against the Royals this year, coming off a 2-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium on June 27. Against KC, he is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA.
Lugo has a 1-0 record and a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Guards this season. Bally Sports Great Lakes, Fox Sports 1, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network will broadcast the game.
What happens next?
Here’s what’s happening with the Guardians after Wednesday’s game against the Royals.
Thursday: The Guardians spend their day off in Los Angeles.
Friday: The Guardians open a three-game series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. LHP Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) will start for Cleveland on Friday. The Dodgers have not yet named a starter for the 10:10 p.m. ET game. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS and the Guardians radio network will broadcast the series.
Saturday: RHP Alex Cobb (2-1, 2.76) vs. RHP Gavin Stone (11-5, 3.53) at 9:10 p.m. ET.
Sunday: RHP Gavin Williams (3-7, 4.55) vs. RHP Jack Flaherty (11-6, 5.01) at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Monday: The Guardians open a three-game series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Trivia answer: Cleveland’s last losing season against the Royals was 2015, when they went 9-10 against them. That year, the Royals won the World Series.