The Cleveland Guardians broke the stranglehold the Chicago White Sox had on first place in the American League Central when they registered a 6-3 triumph over their rivals Wednesday afternoon. The Guardians (78-75) have a half-game lead in the division, but the White Sox can move back into a tie for the lead if they can win their Thursday night game against the Detroit Tigers.

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However, the Guardians have had a very impressive run in late August and September to climb in the standings and get the lead in the division — even if it is only temporary. The Guardians have won 10 of their last 16 games, and MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds believes that manager Stephen Vogt has done an excellent job and deserves credit.

Reynolds pointed out that Vogt has already won the Manager of the Year Award in both of his previous seasons at the helm of the Guardians, but that the job he has done this season may be the best of his three-year career. “He's won two Manager of the Year awards in-a-row,” Reynolds said. “I think this is his best year. He's amazing. He keeps them in games. He is Steady Eddy. The Guardians were not supposed to be where they're at right now.”

The Guardians have been able to move into the lead largely because of their outstanding starting pitching. Parker Messick and Gavin Williams have been the Guardians' most effective starters. Messick has a 12-9 record along with a 2.57 earned run average. he has struck out 186 batters in 178.1 innings. Williams is 13-8 with a 3.78 ERA.