The American League is not particularly strong this year. One division — the American League West — does not currently have a team with a record of above .500. Still, it will be an intriguing league to follow in the postseason. The Tampa Bay Rays hold the league's best record, but the New York Yankees look like a legitimate contender as well. However, there is one specific team that could stand in the way of the best AL ball clubs.
The Boston Red Sox seem like the obvious answer. They are likely going to play the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series and will have an American League Division Series clash with the Tampa Bay Rays if they defeat the Yankees. However, Boston is not the ball club we are going with today. Instead, the team that is the biggest threat to the Yankees and Rays' chances of reaching the World Series is the Cleveland Guardians.
Why the Guardians?
Cleveland will have a much easier route to the American League Championship Series than any of the AL East teams. Some fans have complained about the postseason format, but for now it is what it is. The Guardians clinched a postseason appearance on Thursday, and if they can hold on and win the AL Central they will get a first-round bye. In that scenario, Cleveland would play the winner of the AL Wild Card Series matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers/Houston Astros.
However, the Guardians are only one game ahead of the White Sox in the AL Central with three games left to play, so the division is far from decided. The White Sox hold the division tiebreaker as well. Nevertheless, Cleveland is a ball club worth closely monitoring.
Article Continues BelowThe Yankees have quality pitching and the Rays are an overall strong team. This Guardians ball club simply finds ways to win, though. They don't score a lot of runs, but Cleveland's pitching is stellar and the team plays quality defense. Additionally, the Guardians find ways to manufacture just enough runs to win ball games.
They are young and some of their players do not have much postseason experience. The good news is that Jose Ramirez is the team leader, and he's no stranger to the playoffs. Ramirez will lead the way as the young talent around him fuels a potential deep postseason push. Manager Stephen Vogt has now led the Guards to three consecutive playoff appearances, so he will be especially ready for the moment as well.
If the Guardians win the AL Central, all they will need to do is defeat either the White Sox or Astros/Rangers in the ALDS. Sure, that will not be a simple task, but those are preferred matchups rather than having to play the top three AL East teams. If Cleveland advances, the Guards would play one of the Red Sox, Yankees or Rays.
Their path to the ALCS is easier than the AL East teams. They could be more prepared for a potential ALCS matchup. The Yankees and Rays know they cannot overlook a ball club like the Guardians.