The Cleveland Guardians have clinched a winning record Wednesday with their 82nd win of the 2022 MLB season.
When the season began not many expected this Guardians team to amount to much. Most experts picked anyone besides Cleveland and Kansas City to win the American League Central. To the surprise of everyone the Guardians won their 82nd game of the season growing their division lead over the White Sox and the still technically not eliminated Twins.
Winning seasons in Cleveland has become customary under the guidance of Terry Francona. Since Francona took over as manager in 2013 Cleveland has had just one season under .500 and that was an 80-82 mark just last season. Even in a season that was described as transitional and developmental Tito is still able to guide this team to a winning record. Manager of the Year honors would be on the table if it were not for the pesky Baltimore Orioles under Brandon Hyde. If the Guardians had middling expectations the Orioles had none when the season began. With that being said it is usually a foolish proposition to downplay a Tito managed ball club. Time after time again he is able to at least have this team in the mix and that is proven true today.
Postseason baseball appears to be on the horizon for Cleveland as they inch closer and closer to a division crown. If and when the Guardians make the postseason they could prove to be a tough opponent for most teams. The style of play is not the norm across the league and this death by a thousand paper cuts offense paired with their pitching and defense will make them a tough out. Before the cart gets put before the horse the Guardiac Kids still need to keep winning in order to win the division for the first time since 2018 and the fourth time overall under Francona.
