The Cleveland Guardians are an impressive 67-42 after a 5 game winning streak which includes 2 wins over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Cleveland now owns the tiebreaker over the Orioles in case the two teams meet in the playoffs. The Guardians still have a healthy lead in the AL Central, but do have a challenging schedule ahead of them. The team has defied the preseason odds of being a serious World Series challenger, as it has compiled the best record in MLB against teams above .500. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor continue to be near the top of the AL in RBI's, while supplying much needed power in the middle of the lineup.

The Guardians were busy at the trade deadline, picking up two key pieces that should help them as the season heads into mid-August. OF Lane Thomas was acquired from Washington, while veteran RHP Alex Cobb came over from the Giants. So far Thomas has already made an impact in the everyday lineup, going for 3 hits in his 1st two games. Cobb should be ready to go after a rehab start. Cobb made the All-Star team just a year ago.

Players that have been called up recently that have made significant contributions to the team include Angel Martinez and Jhonkenzy Noel. Martinez has been playing regularly in CF, while Noel has hit 6 mammoth HR's to date. 

The bullpen continues to be the #1 pen in MLB, while the starting staff has been able to overcome early season injuries and a shuffling of the main rotation. Rookie manager Stephen Vogt has struck gold with many of his decisions, particularly calling on pinch hitters or working a bullpen that has logged a lot of innings.

53 games left for our Cleveland Guardians as they push to what will hopefully will be a playoff berth come October.