Ohio’s Cleveland Guardians are hot! Like, dangerously hot! September has been nothing short of magical for this squad, and now manager Steven Vogt is making sure the entire city of Cleveland knows it’s time to show up and get loud. With a six-game home stand kicking off Tuesday night at Progressive Field, Vogt made his feelings crystal clear after the team’s latest win. “We couldn’t be more excited to get back home,” Vogt told reporters. “I know it’s school nights, I know people work, but we need our fans.” Vogt finished his thought by stating, “Our boys are going to be ready to play.”
According to Sports Illustrated, that right there is a manager who gets it. Vogt hasn’t just been running lineups and making bullpen calls since taking over in Cleveland; he’s been fully embracing the Guardians’ fan base, the culture, and what it means to play baseball in Northeast Ohio. And honestly, how can you not love that?
This season started off a little slower than Cleveland’s MLB fans might’ve hoped. The Guardians hovered just over .500 for a good chunk of the first half of the season, looking more “middle-of-the-pack” than “October contender.” But then September happened. Suddenly, this team flipped the switch. They’ve been on a ridiculous 15-1 tear over the past two weeks, playing their best brand of baseball at the perfect time.
Ohio’s Cleveland Guardians Are the Hottest Team in Baseball
And it hasn’t just been boring, grind-it-out wins either; this has been pure “Guard Ball.” You know, those wild, scrappy, come-from-behind games where the energy in Progressive Field feels like it could blow the roof off. Vogt knows just how important that energy is, especially now with so much on the line.
The first three games of this six-game home stretch are against none other than the Detroit Tigers, the very team the Guardians are chasing for a second straight AL Central crown. A packed house could make all the difference. “I know it’s school nights, I know people work,” Vogt repeated, “but we need our fans.”
Cleveland has never been a city to shy away from rallying behind its teams. Even when the Guardians were just above .500 earlier in the season, fans still showed up and even traveled well to road games. That support has not gone unnoticed by Vogt and his players, and it’s clear they feed off that energy.
Cleveland Is Ready To Rock
This team is gritty. When the Guardians score at least four runs, they’re an eye-popping 30-7, one of the best records in the league in those high-scoring battles. Vogt has cultivated a clubhouse culture where everyone buys in and finds ways to win, no matter how ugly it gets. And now, with six massive games at home, Cleveland fans have a chance to turn Progressive Field into an absolute fortress.
So yes, Vogt is calling on every Guardians fan to put the jerseys back on, grab the rally towels, and fill the stadium, no excuses. Division titles aren’t handed out in September, but they can certainly be stolen in it.
If Cleveland, Ohio, can keep up this September magic, another AL Central crown, and maybe even another deep playoff run could be waiting right around the corner. The Guardians’ playoff push continues Tuesday night in Cleveland. And if Steven Vogt has anything to say about it, Progressive Field is about to be rocking!
