Cleveland Guardians look to even divisional series as Chicago White Sox cling to AL Central lead
The Chicago White Sox still lead the American League Central.I can't believe that I just wrote that sentence in the middle of September.
This has been a fun team to watch after the disastrous few seasons.They are a young team that probably doesn't even realize they shouldn't be in these situations yet.
However, it is great experience, and if they do make it to the postseason, they may even get a bye in the first round given how the setup is for the postseason.Davis Martin of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Rate Field in Chicago on Aug.13, 2026.
(Getty Images)They still need to get past the Guardians, though.In an effort to take the series for the White Sox, Davis Martin is taking the ball.
Martin was great in the early portion of the season, but hasn't pitched very well over the past few months.Through May, his ERA was 2.00.
Through June, it was at 3.00, which was still very respectable.At the end of July, he was at 3.62, and August ended at 4.32.
He has been solid in September, going 10.2 innings, allowing just nine hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts.He has faced Cleveland twice and allowed three earned runs over 4.1 innings of work against them.The Cleveland Guardians are reminding me a lot of last season.
If you recall, this team was basically asleep until August.Then, coupled with an all-time collapse from the Tigers, they turned it on and racked up the wins.
They stole the AL Central last year.This season, the White Sox never had the distance between them that Detroit had last year.
However, the Guardians never could find a way to stay consistently ahead of the White Sox.Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians doubles in the ninth inning during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Wednesday, Aug.26, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif.
(MLB Photos via Getty Images)Tonight their goal is to get the game they lost last night back from their divisional foes.They...