2022 MLB Postseason Preview: Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Guardians were expected to be a rebuilding team in 2022. They have reeled off 18 wins in their last 21 games and clinched the AL Central on Sunday. The team will probably be the third seed in the American League and play the wild card game in first round of the postseason.

Konnor Pilkington has struggled with his pitching this year. Emmanuel Clase has been dominant for the Guardians this season. James Karinchak has bounced back after a difficult year last year and has a good ERA. Trevor Stephan and Nick Sandlin have also been effective for Cleveland in 2022. Sam Hentges is the only reliable southpaw for them. He has 2.41 ERA and 2-49 FIP in 54 appearances. Eli Morgan and Enyel De Los Santos have been successful in 46 appearances as well. They have a sub-one WHIP and a strikeout rate of more than 10 per nine innings.

The Cleveland Guardians are a new team in the 2022 MLB season. Jose Ramirez is the only player with more than 20 home runs. Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario have had standout seasons. Josh Naylor has taken a step forward after struggling for the first three seasons of his career. 371 wOBA edges Francisco Lindor's .353 mark. He has a higher WAR than Giméz. The team ranks in top 10 among MLB teams in hits, doubles, triples and batting average. They also rank third in stolen bases.

Cleveland Guardians have not won a World Series title since 1948. They last made a trip to the Fall Classic in 2016 when they lost to Chicago Cubs in a thrilling seven-game series. The team needs a favorable draw and some October heroics to get over the hump in 2022.  The team lacks a definitive star that always possesses a serious threat to an opponent.