For a lovely, fleeting moment on Tuesday, the Guardians were .500.
But for fans, it might as well have been top of the AL Central.
Just a week ago, the team was scuffling.
The bats had gone silent, and when they were working, the pitching didn’t support.
But the Guardians turned in seven wins across their last ten games, a strong run that’s put them back in the AL conversation.
In fairness, the wins came against the Royals and Orioles, both firmly in rebuilding mode, but a win is a win.
Especially when just a few weeks before, Cleveland couldn’t get a win against the Reds and Tigers.
Now, the club is tied with the White Sox for second in the division and only four games out of the top spot.
They might never catch the Twins, but they need to stock up wins to keep in the AL Wild Card conversation, given how deep the AL East is.
First Frame
The Guardians faced off against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday in a doubleheader.
Things got off well in game one, which the Guardians took 6-3.
The squad got a nice two-RBI contribution from Owen Miller, with Josh Naylor, Oscar González, and Andrés Giménez all chipping in with their own RBIs.
In addition, Cal Quantrill turned in a solid performance, going seven innings and giving up only three runs.
It was a welcome sign from Quantrill, who’s kept his ERA in the 3.50 range for much of the season.
Quantrill’s deep outing should have eased the bullpen arms, keeping them ready for the second game.
But about that second game. . .
Bottom of the Order
The Guardians won the first game of the doubleheader 6-3, then proceeded to lose the second one, wait for it, 3-6.
It was oddly reminiscent of Cleveland’s doubleheader against the Blue Jays back at the beginning of May.
Toronto took the first game 3-8.
In the afternoon, the Guardians came close to vengeance with the same scoreline, winning 8-2.
Pitcher Kirk McCarty got beat up early, coughing up four runs in just four innings of work on Tuesday.
And he didn’t get much help from the offense, either.
In particular, José Ramirez was a total no-show.
Fans provided several reactions to the game two loss:
2022 Cleveland Guardians season pic.twitter.com/htZUSZ5PFt
— Anthony Alford (@AnthonyAlford92) June 7, 2022
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) June 8, 2022
What a horrific embarrassing at-bat by Amed Rosario my lord #ForTheLand
— Chuck 22 (@Chuck63618910) June 8, 2022
PLEASE TAKE KIRK MCCARTY OUT OF THIS GAME #ForTheLand
— Chuck 22 (@Chuck63618910) June 8, 2022
The Guardians losing game 2 was the most predictable thing of all time.
Did not like the decision to start McCarty. Whole game felt like it was managed as a throwaway.@kauliguardians put it best the other day- “team is allergic to .500”.
We’ll get em’ tomorrow.#Fortheland
— 216 Baseball Podcast (@216BaseballPod) June 8, 2022
Jose couldn’t be more unlucky today if he tried.
Scalded ball after scalded ball.
Hate to see it. But that just means an absolute TEAR is coming, as he bends the baseball gods to his will. #Fortheland
— 216 Baseball Podcast (@216BaseballPod) June 8, 2022
The Guardians return to action tonight in the series finale against Texas.
Looking ahead, Cleveland has two more winnable slates against the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies up next.
Keeping this momentum going will be critical for the club, which takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins in a few weeks.
If Cleveland is really a contender for the playoffs like they appeared at the start of the season, then getting results against the Dodgers and Twins would go a long way to proving themselves.
Here’s to hoping Progressive Field really becomes the most magical (and winningest) place on Earth:
The Most Magical Place on Earth. ✨ pic.twitter.com/gnvmnXWorK
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 7, 2022
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