Cleveland Guardians show just how much pitching matters in postseason

There is an old axiom is that pitching wins championships. The Cleveland Guardians may be hoping that is the case.

The Guardians were likely going to go as far as their pitching staff would take that. That certainly appeared to be the case after the Wild Card round, as the Guardians advanced despite posting a .178/.211/.260 batting line.

Cleveland Guardians get just enough from lineup to advance

In the end, that was all the Guardians needed. Their pitching staff took care of business, holding the Rays to just one run on nine hits and six walks over 24 innings. To the Rays’ credit, they held the Guardians to just three runs, but that was all Cleveland needed.

The Guardians are going to need that pitching to come through in the ALDS as well. They are now set to face the Yankees, a team that they were 1-5 against this season. The Guardians only scored 14 runs against the Yankees all season while allowing 38. However, the Guardians also have not faced the Yankees since July 3, back when they were still the best team in the American League.

It is a different dynamic now. The Yankees have been carried by Aaron Judge over the final few months. New York’s pitching staff has scuffled of late as well. Meanwhile, the Guardians have hit their stride, their pitching staff beginning to dominate as their offense has done just enough to win.

That is likely to be their formula for the ALDS. It will be up to the pitching staff if they are going to advance past the Yankees. It could also be a formula that works for at least one more round, especially if the Yankees’ offensive woes continue. In the end, pitching could make the difference.

The Cleveland Guardians were able to advance due to their dominant pitching. It turns out that pitching still matters in the playoffs after all.