The Cleveland Guardians are in a tight race for the MLB playoffs and division title, with recent strong performances fueling hope. Despite a poor offensive ranking (30th in batting average, 29th in OPS, 27th in runs scored), they have been exceptional in pitching, boasting a 2.47 ERA in September, the best in the majors. Manager Stephen Vogt has been praised for his leadership, and star player José Ramírez continues to be a vital figure, despite his modest beginnings and physical stature. The Guardians have won 12 of their last 13 games, closing the gap in the standings, currently 4.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central. The upcoming game against the Tigers features Tanner Bibee pitching against Tarik Skubal, whose health is uncertain. Skubal, a key pitcher for Detroit, has been dominant this season but is battling tightness, raising questions about the Tigers' strategy in starting him. The Guardians aim to sweep the series and reduce the division gap, with hopes of making a wild card spot. The team’s recent resilience, despite injuries and offensive struggles, has kept their playoff hopes alive, and fans are optimistic as the season nears its end.