Series Review: Magic Number is 5 after Cleveland Guardians sweep Chicago White Sox

The Cleveland Guardians have all but clinched the American League Central Championship after sweeping the Chicago White Sox.

The Cleveland Browns have booked the event, ordered the party favors, and have gone out and purchased all of the team’s favorite foods for their inevitable American League Central Championship party. While some will thumb their noses down at winning the AL Central title, a feat that still hasn’t been properly secured to be fair, winning the divisional title means something.

Other leagues around the world celebrate these sorts of accomplishments and it’s time for the American fanbase to really get hyped over this. This is a big deal. The team has 10 divisional titles to its name and winning the AL Central in 2022 will be their 11th.

For a team that is historically not known to be a good baseball team, to see what they’ve been doing over the last near decade with Terry Francona in charge of things is a sight to behold. This is the greatest prolonged stretch of success the franchise has ever had and to do it with what feels like a roster full of rookies makes this even sweeter.

The team is now 83-67, and the magic number to clinch is down to five. With how bad the Twins have plummeted after the Guards dashed their hopes and dreams, and how sad the White Sox have been lately, the Guards could be division champs by Sunday.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox Series Review

Game 1 – Guardians Win (8-2)

Triston McKenzie had his second 13+ strikeout game of the year and Josh Naylor became part owner of the Chicago White Sox after a hostile takeover.

Game 2 – Guardians Win (10-7)

It took 13 hitters, 11 innings, and seven pitchers, but the Guardians were able to once again come from behind late in the game, tie things up and win in extra innings.

Game 3  – Guardians Win (4-2)

Shane Bieber made quick work of a deflated White Sox lineup, nearly going eight innings, while Steven Kwan’s triple may have moved him into the top seat for the AL Rookie of the Year.

Series Standouts

Steven Kwan

8-16, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs

Jose Ramirez

2-10, 4 RBI, 2 Runs, 2 Walks

Josh Naylor

5-12, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Walks

Andres Gimenez

5-12, 3 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Walks

Triston McKenzie

8.0 IP, 13 Ks, 2 Runs

Trevor Stephan

1.1, 2 K, 1 Hold

James Karinchack

2.0 IP, 3 Ks

Shane Bieber

7.2 IP, 5 Ks, 2 ER