Guardians going deep in playoffs? Ignored by national media? Keeping Amed Rosario?

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The playoffs loom for the Cleveland Guardians – I still can’t believe I’m writing this because it’s been such an amazing season. Anyway, fans have questions:

Hey, Terry: After the season the Guardians have put together, I feel any success in the playoffs would be icing on the cake. What do you realistically feel their chances are to reach the World Series and win it all? – Chris Dobson

Hey, Terry. This young team has overcome so many challenges to be successful this season, but they’re about to experience the pressure of the playoffs. Do you think the Guardians might struggle with this new challenge, or do you think they’re ready to handle it. – Matt Kincaid

Hey Terry: This team is the best! So much heart and they play it the right way. Can they win a playoff series? Astros? Yankees? Mariners? Don’t love the matchups. But I believe! – Chris Neptune.

Hey Chris, Matt & Chris: Logic says the Guardians have no chance in the playoffs. Logic also said they had no chance making the playoffs, either as a wild card or winning the Central Division. Before the season started, ESPN gave their chances at 15%. I picked them to finish at 77-85, my lowest prediction for them probably since 2013.

The Guardians vs. Houston, New York, Seattle ... even Tampa Bay or Toronto ... none of those are very appealing. All of those teams are in the playoffs. But yes, the Guardians do have a chance to reach the World Series.

Here is why:

1. The first two rounds are short. In the first round, Houston and the Yankees have a bye in the first round. The other four teams play best-of-three. That’s right, you only need to win twice in three games. My theory has long been the shorter the series , the more likely the chance for an upset.

2. The Guardians will either face Toronto, Tampa Bay or Seattle. Given the Guardians have the youngest team in the MLB, they probably will be considered the longest shot of all those American League playoff teams to reach the World Series. Do keep that in mind.

3. The Guardians will have Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill lined up to start the first three games. Cleveland also has a tremendous bullpen. That gives them a chance to win that first round. We’re talking two victories in three games. Also keep that in mind.

4. In his last 12 starts, Bieber is 8-2 with a 2.05 ERA. McKenzie has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last 10 starts. For the season, he is 11-11 with a 2.99 ERA.

5. Quantrill is 14-5 with a 3.42 ERA this season. They only need three starters at the most. Pitching will be the key. That gives Cleveland a chance to at least reach the next round. So does having a veteran manager in Terry Francona.

6.. The second round is best-of-five – shorter than the best-of-seven World Series. If the Guardians win, they’ll face the Yankees. Interesting fact: The Yankees have not been to the World Series since ... 2009. If they survive the second round, it’s on to the ALCS – a best-of-seven.

7. A little history: The 2016 Tribe was without starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar heading into the playoffs. In the second round, they lost Trevor Bauer. They were down to Corey Kluber and Josh Tomlin and found a way to reach Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Cubs.

8. In 2017, Cleveland looked loaded. They had a 22-game winning streak. They had a 102-60 regular season record. The won the first two games of the best-of-five first round vs. the Yankees, then lost the next three. Season over in the first round. The point? The 2017 team appeared in much better shape than 2016 for the postseason. But it didn’t work out. So who really knows?

Cleveland Guardians players celebrate winning the American League Central.

Hey, Terry: The Guardians are having a historic season with the youngest team in baseball and still the national media doesn’t cover them. Outside the local media, you don’t see anything about them. What gives? – Beth Geraci.

Hey Beth: That’s why you need us at the Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. The rest of the national media doesn’t consider the Guardians a big story, but we do. They are a young team in a small baseball market with no big names. Yes, they have Jose Ramirez. As I wrote a while ago, he’s a secret superstar. That’s a big part of the reason he signed a seven-year contract extension to stay in Cleveland. He doesn’t want the glitz.

This Guardians team does reflect Cleveland. It was written off and then became one baseball’s biggest surprises because of it’s old-style baseball played by a young lineup. Just enjoy these guys, and let the national media do whatever its does. They have no impact on how your favorite team plays.

Hey, Terry: What is your prediction on the future of Amed Rosario in Cleveland? He is easy to root for and has become a fan fav. Trade this offseason, trade during or after next season, or extend him with a new contract? I really like this kid! – Tim Corbett

Hey, Terry: Rosario has developed into a good shortstop and a great hitter and I believe a fan favorite by always hustling. Like all of our players, they follow the leadership of Jose – keep it up and keep winning. – Don Kendrick

Hey Tim & Don: I have the Guardians game on the radio as I’m answering these questions. Guardians radio voice Tom Hamilton and I have often talked about Rosario, we both love his hustle, attitude and ability to hit.

During the broadcast, Hamilton was praising how the Guardians run hard on every ground ball and how it keeps the team out of double plays: “They run harder than any other team and that starts with their best player – Jose Ramirez. But right behind him is Amed Rosario. They set the example for the rest of team.”

I agree. I also agree Rosario has improved his defense at shortstop. In his last three 162-game seasons, Rosario is a .284 hitter (.735 OPS), averaging 12 HR and 67 RBI. In his two seasons with the Guardians, he is 30 of 34 in stolen bases.

Rosario leads the American League in triples and infield hits in 2022! That’s hustle.

The Guardians are loaded with shortstop prospects. They have Gabriel Arias now with the team. In the minors, the rising star is Brayan Rocchio, who split the season between Class AA and AAA, batting .257 (.755 OPS) with 18 HR and 64 RBI. He is only 21.

Some fans may want to move Andres Gimenez to short, his natural position. But he’s emerged as an All-Star second baseman who deserves a Gold Glove. Why change positions now?

Rosario has one year left under team control. He is arbitration eligible. His salary for 2022 is $4.9 million. I wonder if they could sign him to a two- or three-year deal worth about $10 million annually? An extension should be explored.

Manager Terry Francona and Jose Ramirez have led Cleveland to be one of baseball's biggest surprises in 2022.

Hey, Terry: Terry Francona manager of the year! – Bill Enders.

Hey, Bill: Yes! But I wonder if the votes will go to Brandon Hyde, who took Baltimore from a 52-110 record to 80-76 heading into the weekend. The Guardians have a chance to win 90 games ... that’s incredible and should not be ignored by manager of the year voters.

HEAR ME TALK: I will be speaking at the Uniontown Library on October 4 at 6:30 p.m. I’ll also take questions, meet fans and sign books. It’s free!

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