CLEVELAND, Ohio — Much has changed for the Guardians on the field over the last 18 days. Anyone interested enough to look up from their cellphone couldn’t miss it.
In the clubhouse, however, catcher Bo Naylor says the status quo rules.
The Guardians lost 10 straight games from June 26 through July 7. They went from 9 1/2 games off the pace in the AL Central to 15 1/2 games off the pace.
The All-Star break had yet to arrive, but it felt like the season was over. The only thing missing was a fire sale of veterans before the July 31 trade deadline.
In the 10-game losing streak, the Guardians scored 15 runs and were shut out five times. Their record dropped from 40-38 to 40-48.
When Thursday dawned, the Guardians were 51-50. Their 3-2 win over the Orioles on Wednesday night gave them 11 victories in the last 13 games.
They’ve scored 77 runs in those last 13 games, an average of six runs per game. In the 10-game losing streak they averaged 1.5 runs per game.
The starting rotation is 7-1, while Jose Ramirez has hit seven homers in the 13 games and Kyle Manzardo has nine RBI in his last seven games.
In every respect it has been a dramatic turn of events for the Guardians. Yet the mindset of the players in the clubhouse, according to Naylor, is the same as always
“Honestly, I think that’s one of the things most of the guys in this clubhouse would agree on,” said Naylor. “Even through the tough times, we remained with the same mindset that we needed. Just go out there, compete and get the job done.
“Baseball is not always going to be on your side. It’s not always going to work in your favor. But the teams who can keep their heads on straight and in the right place, that’s when the game favors you.
“I think that’s something that has been our strength. We’ve worked through some tough times and were just waiting for this stretch that we’re in.”
The Guardians, who have moved into second place in the division, have gone from 15 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central to eight games. The first-place Tigers have lost nine of their last 10 games.
In the wild card race, they trail Boston for the third and final spot by 2 1/2 games. Tampa Bay and Texas are 1 1/2 games behind Boston.
It has been a difficult year for Naylor, offensively and defensively. Wednesday night, however, he doubled to the gap in left center with two out in the eighth inning and the score tied, 2-2. Steven Kwan followed with game-winning single.
In the first two games of the series, Naylor doubled and homered in a 10-5 win on Monday. In Tuesday’s 6-3 win, he drew two walks.
Manager Stephen Vogt said when the left-handed hitting Naylor is driving the ball to the gap in left center, it shows his swing is balanced and controlled.
Naylor agreed.
“At this point (my swing) is not perfect. No swing is perfect,” said Naylor. “But I think that’s a good indicator (the double to left center field) that we’re trending in the right direction.”
Naylor is hitting .172 (39 for 227) with 10 homers, 21 RBI and a .632 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). He has tinkered with his swing throughout this season.
“I’m just letting my body do what it wants to do,” said Naylor, of his latest adjustment. “Putting it in a position where it can swing free and not force it into positions and then try to work out of them by compensation.
“I’m just trying be committed to a plan, have a smooth swing and not try to do too much.”
Breakfast and trivia
The Guardians have won four straight, 10 of their last 13 and are 5-1 since the All-Star break. So, stay with the green tea and breathing exercises for breakfast. You may have to limit the morning walk with a 1:10 p.m. afternoon start today, but that should give you more time with two eggs over easy, some turkey bacon and peanut butter and toast.
Now for the question of the day. This could take some research. What is Kwan hitting with runners in scoring position this season? The answer is below.
Next
Thursday: LHP Logan Allen (6-8, 4.06) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (5-8, 5.58) at 1:10 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, MLB Network TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Friday: The Guardians open a three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. It will be RHP Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.54) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (4-9. 3.62) at 8:10 p.m. Apple TV+, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Saturday: RHP Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27) vs. LHP Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38) at 7:15 p.m. FOX, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will do the game.
Sunday: LHP Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91) vs. LHP Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) at 2:10 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Monday: The Guardians return home for a three-game series against the Rockies that starts Monday night.
Trivia answer
Kwan, the Guardians’ leadoff hitter, is hitting .306 (19 for 62) with 25 RBI with runners in scoring position this year. He’s also hitting .317 (33 for 104) from the seventh inning on this year.
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