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MLB: Why these 3 winning teams will miss the postseason

By Michael Cavallo

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies on display at Fenway Park before the Victory Parade around Boston on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies on display at Fenway Park before the Victory Parade around Boston on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario
Jun 14, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario (1) reacts to scoring the go ahead run in the tenth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have been an early surprise for the 2022 season. No one expected much from the Guardians, yet they are 34-28, sitting second in the AL Wild Card spot. Throughout the last few years, it seems the Guardians were heading towards a full rebuild. Since the Guardians have a solid farm system, it allowed them to rebuild and still be in contention to make a run at the postseason. With all the inexperienced players, do the Guardians have enough to stay in contentions for a Wild Card spot?

Can the Guardians score enough runs?

Currently, the Guardians are ranked 12th in baseball in home runs given up, a little over one home run per game. Also, their pitching staff is averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings, ranking them 15th in the league. The Guardians give up a good amount of runs, putting a lot of pressure on their lineup to produce.

Looking at Cleveland’s lineup, there are only two players with a batting average over .300. There is a third player, right fielder Oscar Gonzalez, who has a batting average over .300, but only has 86 at-bats, so his average can fluctuate quickly. With inconsistent hitting and a pitching staff that gives up a decent amount of runs, it is difficult to stay in contention for a full season.

Look for the Guardians to fade away after the All-Star break. It is only a matter of time before the Chicago White Sox get healthy and surpass the Guardians for the Wild Card spot.

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