The Cleveland Guardians' series against the Chicago White Sox is essentially a must-win series to stay in the playoff hunt.
The Cleveland Guardians have sat comfortably in a playoff spot for the majority of the season, whether that's been as the leaders of the American League Central or in one of the three Wild Card slots.
However, that reality is now over.
The hunted have now become the hunters. If the postseason started today, Cleveland would be on the outside looking in as they dropped eight out of their last ten games and have the second-worst record in baseball since the All-Star Break.
While everything is going in the opposite direction for the Guardians, they start what is undoubtedly their biggest series of the season, and could end up defining
Cleveland began a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox on Friday evening, and it's not an exaggeration to say this is a must-win series for the Guardians.
As it stands heading into Friday night's action, Cleveland is tied with the Minnesota Twins in the division and 3.0 games back of the White Sox.
(Not to mention, the Detroit Tigers are just 0.5 games back of the Guardians and Twins, too.)
Jul 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Tristan Peters (29), catcher Kyle Teel (8) and shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) wait at home plate after a three-home run hit by infielder Miguel Vargas (20) against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn ImagesIn a worst-case scenario for Cleveland, they could realistically leave Chicago fourth in the AL Central, facing a 6.0 game deficit in the division.
A series victory for the White Sox could give them the upper hand in the ever-so-important tie-breaker, being the team's head-to-head record.
But the opposite is also true: the Guardians could also win the series and make up critical ground in the division.
According to manager Stephen Vogt, his team is up for the challenege.
"I think, obviously we wish we were in a different position record wise going into the weekend, but we get three games with the people we're chasing," said Cleveland's skipper.
"[The White Sox are] obviously a really good team, and so are we. I think the guys are going to have a lot of excitement and a lot of energy going into tomorrow. We're really good about turning the page from the day before. Let's turn the page from this three game series and let's get ready to win a series over the weekend."
Yes, the Guardians did make history last September, erasing a double-digit deficit in the final month of the season. But that run will be remembered for how historic it was and for the fact that something like that doesn't happen every year.
Cleveland can't rely on another last-minute comeback to just get into the playoffs. The Guardians need to start making up ground now, and that starts in Chicago this weekend.
