CLEVELAND -- Steven Kwan emphasized the importance of how well the Guardians played before the All-Star break due to the momentum they felt the club had on its side. And so far in the second half, Cleveland has kept it rolling.
The Guardians wrapped up a seven-game homestand on Thursday afternoon with a 4-3 loss to the Orioles at Progressive Field. They went 5-2 and picked up series wins against the A’s and O’s.
Cleveland (51-51) has gone 11-3 over its past 14 games, starting with a 7-5 win over Houston on July 7. The Guardians were three games back of the Red Sox (55-49) for the final American League Wild Card spot at the conclusion of Thursday’s loss.
The Guardians have to this point taken advantage of a favorable schedule out of the break -- during what general manager Mike Chernoff called “a period of high significance and importance for the team” ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline.
Next up is a three-game series against the Royals (50-53) starting on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.
“It feels like everybody's a lot looser right now,” Kwan said on Wednesday. “There's a lot more laughs in the dugout. When we’re playing loose, fun baseball, I think we're going to play our best, so [we’re] hoping to continue that.”
Here are three keys to the recent stretch.
1) Home run power
The Guardians haven’t been one to overpower opponents. In their first 88 games, they hit 85 homers (24th in the Majors). Having the potential to change a game with one swing is always welcomed, and they have had a power uptick during this stretch.
Over the past 14 games, Cleveland has hit 23 homers (tied for first with the Yankees, as of Thursday). That includes José Ramírez’s game-tying three-run blast in the first inning on Monday, and his go-ahead solo shot in the first on Tuesday.
Kwan (who had not homered since June 13) delivered his first career multi-homer game on Thursday. He went deep off Orioles starter Charlie Morton in the third and fifth, an encouraging sign as Kwan has dealt with a nagging right wrist issue that led to him missing the A's series last weekend.
“We haven't seen him get through balls like that for the last month and a half,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He was really battling the wrist, so really good to get him the time [off] and a much needed recovery for him.”
2) Two-out production
Vogt said on Thursday that he wishes “there was a magic pill” when asked about his club’s recent propensity for two-out production. There may not be a great answer, but Cleveland certainly will take what it’s getting.
Entering Thursday, the Guardians were hitting .281 with two outs and runners in scoring position over this stretch, and 43 of their 78 runs had come with two out. They hit .189 (29th in the Majors) in the same situation before this stretch.
Cleveland had a few two-out RISP opportunities on Thursday. With runners on second and third in the first, Nolan Jones hit a 104.2 mph lineout to first baseman Coby Mayo. With two on and two out in the third, Daniel Schneemann flied out to right fielder Tyler O’Neill, after Jones hit a one-out sac fly.
“Hitting with two outs, runners in scoring position, it's taking what the pitcher gives you,” Vogt said. “Your job is to hit outfield grass, however that may happen. ... Your job is not to drive everyone in. It's keep the line moving, and our guys have been doing that.”
3) Rotation efficiency
Strike-throwing and longer outings from starting pitchers go hand in hand. Vogt noted the former has stood out about the rotation’s performance recently.
“When we were struggling, there were a lot of walks,” Vogt said. “We’ve really limited the free bases and cleaned up the defense, and that's really why we're playing better. Obviously, the offense has come alive as well.”
Guardians starters have a 2.50 BB/9 rate during this stretch. It was an MLB-worst 3.87 in the first 88 games this season. We’ve seen countless outings this season where a starter was unable to pitch past the fourth or even fifth inning, but Cleveland’s starting five has tossed the most innings (82 2/3) over this stretch.
Starter Logan Allen was charged with four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings on Thursday. He struck out four and did not issue a free pass.
“[The key is] just putting pressure on the hitters, forcing them into a swing,” Allen said. “And I feel like we're doing that.”