Guardians Seek Offensive Answers With Season on the Line in ALDS

The Cleveland Guardians are running out of time — and runs. Down 2-0 in the American League Division Series after a 4-3 loss on Monday, the Guardians have scored just three runs across the first two games, and their season now hangs on Wednesday's Game 3 in Chicago.

Manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged the obvious: the offense has to wake up. Cleveland's bats went quiet at the worst possible moment, stranding runners and failing to cash in the chances that decide October baseball. Historically, teams trailing 2-0 in a best-of-five win the series just 11 percent of the time — the Guardians need history on their side.

Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo loom as pitching options to keep the series alive, but no arm can fix a lineup producing barely a run and a half per game. The White Sox, meanwhile, are one win from an improbable trip to the ALCS.

Wednesday in Chicago is as close to a must-win as baseball gets. Score early, score often — or start booking tee times.