After being swept by the Atlanta Braves in a three-game weekend set, the Cleveland Guardians sat nearly four games out, and major concerns were raised about their offense and if they'd be able to produce enough to propel the team back within 2-3 games.
Now, Cleveland turns the page to a new series, each one more important than the previous at this time of year, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Cleveland is 64-60, and very much still within reach of an American League playoff spot. They would need some help from other teams in the race, but it's doable.
Gavin Williams gives the Guardians a massive boost
In the first game of a three-game set with the Diamondbacks, the Guardians' ace Gavin Williams gave the team a stellar start to allow for Cleveland to gain ground in the Wild Card race. The Red Sox and Mariners both lost, so after a 3-1 victory over the struggling Diamondbacks, the Guardians now sit just three games back of the third WC spot.
Per FanGraphs, their playoff odds now sit at just above 20%.
Gavin Williams turned in 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, and the Guardians' bullpen gave up just one run. Williams has become the clear-cut ace of the Guardians this season, and he can put the team on his back every fifth day down the stretch. Just 38 games remain in the season.
In 133.1 innings this season, Williams is 8-4 with a 3.24 ERA and 132 strikeouts. With Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis anchoring the bullpen, if this Guardians team wants to make a late push for the playoffs, it will have to be behind stellar pitching.