Since I had to use auto-draft for my fantasy football team this season, I’m already less invested in my team or the NFL right now. Thus, I should be more aware of what is going on in MLB outside of the NL Central. I have been watching the AL Central race and not because of the wildcard implications. Rather, there is actual fight for the division and an automatic berth in the postseason. In what seems like an hour ago, the Tigers held a comfortable lead over the rest of the pack.

Stephen Vogt and the Cleveland Guardians have made it a race to the finish. Heading into this afternoon’s series finale with the Twinkies, the Guards have won their last 10 games, and 20 of their last 25. Forget the crazy run the Brewers went on in August 20-5 is crazy good.

Most of the teams having success this season have done so with a modicum of offense and home runs or stolen bases being the driving force. Cleveland has seemingly done it with mirrors. They rank among the bottom 5 in most offensive categories, homers(13th), runs(13th), batting average (14th), on-base (14th) and stolen bases 6th). More significantly, only two individuals have hit 25+ homers and 65+ RBI. Their two most recognizable position players are Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan.

Despite losing their closer for the season due to a gambling scandal (Emmanuel Clase) and trading away Shane Bieber, they have the second-best team ERA 3.69 in the AL and lead the league in saves with 46. They entered today’s game with the 7th most strikeouts and 8th best WHIP, and second most shutouts. However, I don’t know if Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen register on my fans’ radar.

While most fans and the media believe the AL MVP is either Aaron Judge or Cal Raleigh, I think Vogt has made a strong case for repeat manager of the year. Because I’ve mentioned this before, I have to go back to the Monty Python well one more time. Including two bullpen catchers and a coach/interpreter, the Guards have 16 coaches on staff with job titles. associate manager (but no bench coach) two assistant hitting coaches, Major League Field Coordinator/Dir. of Defense/Strategy/Baserunning (huh?), and a hitting analyst. I’d love to have the business card gig.

If Cleveland pulls off the upset and takes the division, they’ll likely host a first-round wildcard series in be the heavy underdog.