After a historically successful September, The Cleveland Guardians clinched a hard fought AL Central Division title for the 3rd consecutive season. Combined with 2.60 team ERA in the final month of the season, the Guardians offense averaged a respectable 4.84 runs per game. Cleveland’s offense has only managed 3 runs on 10 hits so far in the postseason and despite solid pitching, the Guardians trail the five-game series 2-0.
The Guardians offensive struggles have not just been a postseason problem. Cleveland is historically the worst offense to qualify for the playoffs in recent history. In fact, the entire offensive identity of the team has been a major concern throughout the entire Steven Vogt era.
Despite two bases loaded situations in Game 1, Cleveland stranded all runners and were shutout the entire game. Through two games in the ALDS, the Guardians have only managed an abysmal .114 batting average. Chicago’s pitching, which the Guardians faced 13 times in the regular season, have dominated Cleveland hitters in the playoffs.
Starting pitching has not been an area of concern in the Guardians struggles. In his first postseason start in Game 1, Guardians rookie Parker Messick tossed 4.1 innings allowing just two runs as the Guardians would wind up losing 3-0.
Gavin Williams showed up on the mound, too. In 5.0 innings, Williams allowed only two runs and struck out 11 White Sox batters. The strikeout total was the second highest in Cleveland postseason history. Pitching is simply not the issue for the Guardians.
The disappointing output from the Guardians has fans frustrated. Many Clevelanders have attributed the lack of offense to the coaching staff. In 2025, the Guardians finished with a .225 batting average, the lowest in franchise history.
Others have credited the dormant offense to Guardians ownership. The Guardians payroll has been the lowest in the MLB with 79 million dollars. Despite the low spending, Cleveland has been qualified for the playoffs eight times since 2016. It begs the question of what the team could be capable of if they spent more money on their roster.
Still, fans are not giving up hope on the 2026 postseason. The Guardians are down 2-0 but are not eliminated.
The Guardians’ chances are slim, but 10 teams have overcome a 2-0 deficit in the divisional series. The last team to do it was the 2017 New York Yankees when they defeated the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians).
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