AL wild card standings: Where Guardians sit in playoff race after Astros-Rangers game

Despite an unusual, winding road to this point, the Guardians have managed to remain in the playoff race deep into September.

A 10-game losing streak threatened to end their playoff hopes a few months early, but the Guardians responded with one of their hottest stretches of the season in the immediate aftermath to stay afloat.

The loss of closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz, at least for the time being while Major League Baseball continues its gambling investigation, threw another road block in their way and tested their pitching depth.

Still, the Guardians played their best baseball to begin the month of September, winning nine times in a 10-game span that kept them in the race for one of the three wild card spots. They enter Tuesday, Sept. 16 three games back of the last spot.

AL wild card standings

Yankees – 83-67 ….. +1.5

Astros – 82-69 ……… –

Guardians – 78-71 … 3

Rangers – 79-72 …… 3

The three division leaders are the Blue Jays (87-62, East), Tigers (85-65, Central) and Mariners (82-68, West).

Guardians, other AL playoff contender scores MondayGuardians game today

Cleveland was off Monday, Sept. 15. It opens a three-game series in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 16. First pitch is 6:40 p.m.

Guardians, other AL wild card contender games Tuesday

Guardians at Tigers, 6:40

Cleveland Guardians schedule for the rest of the 2025 MLB season

Wednesday, Sept. 17: at Detroit Tigers

Thursday, Sept. 18: at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, Sept. 20 (Game 1): at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, Sept. 20 (Game 2): at Minnesota Twins

Sunday, Sept. 21: at Minnesota Twins

Tuesday, Sept. 23: vs. Detroit Tigers

Wednesday, Sept. 24: vs. Detroit Tigers

Thursday, Sept. 25: vs. Detroit Tigers

Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Texas Rangers

Sunday, Sept. 28: vs. Texas Rangers