CLEVELAND, Ohio — The aphorism “a rising tide lifts all boats” usually refers to positive economic news. It can refer to baseball as well.
Specifically, the Guardians, who are on the hot streak of hot streaks, are the rising tide. They are attempting to make the greatest comeback in MLB history, rallying from a 15 1/2-game deficit to a division title.
They haven’t done it yet, but with four games left in the regular season, they completed a 155-day slog Wednesday night with a 5-1 win over Detroit to pass the Tigers and call first place in the AL Central their own for the first time since April 22.
The success on the field has led to success at the gate. The Guardians are nearing 2 million in attendance for the second straight year. They haven’t done that in consecutive years since 2007 and 2008.
The flash crowds of 29,521 and 26,293 for the first two games of the Guardians’ crucial three-game series against the Tigers have certainly helped the cause. Not only have they pushed the attendance to 1,917,049, but the crowds have drawn raves from the Guardians.
“The crowds have been everything to us,” said left fielder Steven Kwan. “Playing in front of them has been really fun and inspiring.
“We know these are work nights and school nights and the people are showing up. It’s a playoff atmosphere.
“The fans are oohing and awing on every pitch. You know they’re locked in. They aren’t on their phones or eating their food. They’re with us every single pitch. It’s a ton of fun and we hope to see that continued support.”
After the Guardians completed a three-game sweep of the Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, manager Stephen Vogt asked Cleveland fans to “pack-out Progressive Field” for the last six games of the season. There hasn’t been a sellout yet, but the fans have responded.
They drew 29,521 for Tuesday’s 5-2 win and 26,293 for Wednesday’s 5-1 win. Vogt had one message for the fans, “keep coming.”
“The fans have been huge,” said Vogt. “I can’t thank the fans enough for showing up and keep coming, keep coming. We definitely got a lot of energy from the crowd. This place, when it’s packed like that, there’s no better atmosphere in baseball.”
Gavin Williams, after pitching six innings with a career-high 12 strikeouts in Tuesday’s win, said, “It was awesome having everybody there. I think Cleveland fans are the best in baseball. Having them there supporting us is big time.”
Visit from David Fry
Vogt said David Fry was scheduled to visit the clubhouse before Thursday night’s game to “see the boys.”
Fry was hit in the face by a 99-mph pitch from Tarik Skubal in the sixth inning Tuesday night when he was attempting to bunt. Although replays indicated the pitch hit Fry flush, it was ruled a foul ball.
Fry had to be carted off the field and taken to Lutheran Medical Central and then Cleveland Clinic where he was treated for minimal facial and nasal fractures on the left side of his face. Rookie George Valera continued the at-bat and struck out. The strikeout was charged to Fry because he already had two strikes on him.
Nothing stays the same
Last year the Guardians leaned on their bullpen, which led the the big leagues in ERA, on the way to the AL Central title.
This year they lost closer Emmanuel Clase to a gambling investigation and have turned to a starting rotation to cover the loss of Clase’s work in the ninth inning. It has worked to a degree, specifically during the last 19 games.
The rotation, headed into Thursday night’s game, is 12-0 with a 1.35 ERA. They have allowed 18 runs in 120 innings.
“Every team’s different,” said Vogt. “I mean, we were built on our bullpen last year. This year our starting pitching has been outstanding, so they’re earning the sixth inning and it’s been really fun to watch them.
“There’s no model that you can follow. You have to know who your people are at any given moment and trust them to go do the job.”
Taking the Tigers’ temperature
While the Guardians are attempting to erase a record deficit in winning the AL Central, their efforts are coming at the expense of the Tigers. They trailed Cleveland by one game entering Thursday night’s game after leading the Central since April 22.
They have lost eight straight and 20 of their last 27 games.
“Our guys are ready to play,” said manager A.J. Hinch. “It’s not real productive to reminisce on how we got here or what has happened or hasn’t happened.
“Is there frustration? Of course. Is there acknowledgment of the importance of these games? Of course. But we have a good vibe because we have a good team and have a lot of confidence.”
FinallyJose Ramirez reached 3,000 total bases with two doubles on Wednesday night. He ranks second in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Earl Averill.AL Central teams are hitting a combined .199 (329 for 1,689) against Cleveland pitching this year. Divisional play ends for the Guardians after Thursday’s game.In two Septembers under Vogt, the Guardians entered Thursday night’s game with a 33-15 record.
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