2 min read • October 11, 2022
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The White Sox and Twins battled for the AL Central lead for much of the season but each succumbed to the losses of multiple significant players; The Guardians, meanwhile, treaded water for the first half and took the division with a 37-19 record in August and September.
That run, conversely, was catalyzed by a reliable stable of solid everyday players – and José Ramirez, five of whom played at least 145 games, seven at least 120, and eight at least 105.
Right fielder Oscar Gonzalez missed all of July with an abdominal muscle strain and slugger first baseman Josh Naylor has missed 40 scattered games working back from a gruesome fractured ankle in 2021, but otherwise the team has had the same core group of position players all season.
Cleveland’s starting pitching has been just as strong: three starters have taken the hill in 30 games and the trio – Shane Bieber, Cal Quantrill, and Triston McKenzie – combined for 58 quality starts, a 3.07 ERA, and an 8.04 strikeout per nine rate this season.
Right-handers Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale were placed on the IL for a fractured hand and forearm inflammation, respectively, in late August and returned by the end of September.
Veteran reliever Anthony Gose, who underwent Tommy John surgery after a July triceps strain, was the biggest loss this season.
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