What the Guardians Are Saying Ahead of Huge White Sox Series

It’s no secret what’s at stake for both the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox this week at Progressive Field.

With Cleveland just a half-game behind Chicago in the division, whichever team comes away with a series will hold the top spot in the American League Central and be in the driver's seat for one of the top seeds in the league.

The Guardians are well aware of how important the next three games are, but at the same time, they are trying to keep all of the vibes normal in the clubhouse.

After Sunday’s win, Vogt said the team was excited to get home, get back in front of the fans, and keep building on their momentum.

Monday’s vibe was a little more relaxed, but the message stayed the same.

“It feels like a Monday, which I love,” said Cleveland’s skipper pregame. “When we’re not relaxed, having fun, we don’t play at our best.”

The manager doesn’t have to do anything to get his team ready; they know what’s at stake and are ready to go out, have fun, and play their best brand of baseball.

“That's why you play the game. That's why you play 162,” Steven Kwan said on Sunday.

“Obviously, there's been some tough parts of the year, but to come back and play the first-place team right now, only half a game back, is gonna be really exciting. It's gonna be some good baseball.”

Kwan compared this series to a similar situation in his rookie season during the final weeks.

“It kind of reminiscent of 2022 when we had that kind of same thing. We were at their place, and we were a couple back, so really excited for some good baseball coming up.”

In that series four years ago, Cleveland ended up sweeping Chicago to solidify themselves at the top of the AL Central standings. Hopefully a similar scene transpires this week.

Even though this is Travis Bazzana’s first experience in a playoff race and going up against a division rival, he’s well aware of what’s on the line and is accepting the challenge.

“It's what September baseball is all about, and to go into a home series against our division. Rivals with a chance to win a series and be ahead in the division is going to be the best part of the season to this point for sure. Super exciting,” Bazzana said.

The Guardians are clearly ready for what’s ahead. Now, it’s time to go out on the field and claim what they believe is theirs.