The Cleveland Guardians are once again in a battle for the American League Central Division title.That isn't anything all that surprising.
What is a surprise is that they are battling the White Sox.That is a different story for a different article, though.
The Guardians are now two games above .500 and seem to always find a way to hang around the postseason race.This team isn't filled with a ton of superstars or guys you'd recognize, but they are a team that gets the job done.
They also always seem to get the most out of their pitching staff.Jun 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers the ball during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field.(Matt Marton)Today's starter for the Guardians is Parker Messick, who has been one of their best pitchers this season.
For the year, Messick is 7-5 with a 2.80 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.He has been better on the road in terms of runs allowed than he has been at home, but he has allowed seven of his nine homers on the road.
His worst month of the season was in June, but he responded well as the calendar flipped to July.In his most recent start, he allowed just one earned run over five innings.
He has never faced the Marlins, so he could have the upper hand against them the first time through the lineup.A LAUGHABLY BAD AMERICAN LEAGUE HAS ALLOWED ONE OF BASEBALL'S WORST TEAMS TO CLIMB INTO THE PLAYOFF RACEThis has been a dream season and run for the Miami Marlins.While it isn't over yet, this "rebuilding" team seems like they are building or have built something special.
Right now, the team is 52-42 and is 14 games above .500 at home.Perhaps what they should be most impressed by is that this team has only one player above 30 outside of their pitching staff.
Sometimes, young talent clicks, and it seems like this is what has happened.They were 26-34 on May 1st, and since they've gone 26-8, one of the hottest teams in baseball.Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcanta...