Cleveland Guardians Mount Historic Comeback but Fall to Tigers in AL Wild Card

The Cleveland Guardians achieved the largest in-season comeback in Major League Baseball history to win the American League Central Division title but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Detroit Tigers. Despite their historic surge, Cleveland’s offense faltered, batting just .178 in the series and scoring only five runs, hampered by defensive errors and poor situational hitting. Key relief pitchers Erik Sabrowski and Hunter Gaddis struggled after pitching multiple consecutive games, contributing to Detroit's decisive seventh-inning rally. Criticism was also directed at the Guardians' ownership for maintaining a low payroll and lacking depth, particularly right-handed hitters to support star José Ramírez. Fans and former players expressed pride in the team's resilience and season achievements, though frustration lingered over early postseason exit. The consensus is that the Guardians need to bolster their lineup with proven hitters and increased financial investment to build on their success moving forward.