Amidst all the chaos in the American League, the Cleveland Guardians were among the Junior Circuit’s most consistent teams. The Guardians were either in first, or right there, for virtually all of the 2026 season. And thanks to some well-established names, Cleveland will go back to the playoffs for the third straight year.
Riding the Big Rig
Depending on how things go on the final day, Gavin Williams could end 2026 as Major League Baseball’s strikeout leader. But even if he doesn’t, Williams still had an astoudingly good year.
Williams notched 248 strikeouts in his firsr 32 starts this season, continuing to mow down hitters since what was a breakout campaign in 2025.
He also captained a rotation that saw Parker Messick become an All-Star in his first full MLB season, plus Joey Cantillo deliver quality innings despite periodic bouts with walks.
Dealing with an injured star
Jose Ramirez slashed .237/.323/.372 in 2026 heading into play on September 26, far from the kind of numbers we’ve come to expect from the star third baseman.
He hit just 12 home runs this season, and Ramirez’s power has largely been zapped since he suffered a hamate bone fracture in his hand back in June. Just two of those home runs, and 11 of his 39 extra-base hits, came after August 1.
Luckily, the Guardians have received help in other places, including rookie Chase DeLauter, in-season pickup Jo Adell, Angel Martinez, plus Nathaniel Lowe & Brayan Rocchio.
Rocchio, in particular, had a flair for dramatics. However, there’s also someone else who has helped Cleveland along the way.
A resurgence from Kwan
Steven Kwan‘s proven his value over the years thanks to his glove and contact ability. This was a different kind of year for Kwan, as the four-time Gold Glover was tasked at getting time in center field. Plus, try to help co-captain a Guardians team atop their lineup.
It was a easy go of it in the first half. But Kwan came on in the second hafl, as he slashed .323/421/.392 with 61 hits since the start of August, fourth-most in the Majors. No, he didn’t provide much in the power; Kwan only had nine extra-base hits over a 48-game span.
But he put the ball in play & got on base. Which mattered most of all.
No problems in the pen
The Guardians pushed Cade Smith into the fire down the stretch in 2025, after Emmanuel Clase was put on leave for his involvement in a betting scandal. In his first full season as Cleveland’s closer, he put up eye-popping numbers.
Smith struck out 107 over 73.1 IP, notched 41 saves, and helped lead a very good overall bullpen.
Erik Sabrowski, Colin Holderman, and Hunter Gaddis were all among the better relievers in baseball, too.
What’s ahead?
As of September 26, the Guardians were in the driver’s seat to win the AL Central. Cleveland was one game ahead of the White Sox, the club that has the tiebreaker in an event of a tie between the two clubs at the end of 2026.
That would mean a first-round bye, putting Cleveland in a good spot on paper amidst a messy American League playoff race.
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