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The Cleveland Guardians have relied on a remarkable dose of late-season magic to reach this point in the 2020 MLB season.
After enduring numerous setbacks during the regular season, including briefly trailing the Chicago White Sox in the division race before reclaiming the top spot, the Guardians carried significant momentum into the postseason.
Yet, as baseball often does, fortunes shifted unpredictably.
Following the first two games of the American League Division Series against the determined White Sox, it appeared the Guardians' journey might be over.
Trailing 2-0 in the series, however, the Guardians rallied to win three consecutive games, earning a berth in the AL Championship Series.
"Backs against the wall!" manager Vogt shouted in the clubhouse after the game. "Three straight elimination games! You boys showed up. You showed out. We've posted all year. No one counts us in. We've got eight more wins to go!"
Next Up: Tampa Bay
There is no time for the Guardians to rest, as they travel to Tampa Bay to begin the ALCS.
Facing the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field for the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Guardians face a formidable challenge.
During their regular-season matchups, the Guardians struggled against the Rays, winning only one of six encounters. That lone victory came on Wednesday, April 29, in a 3-1 decision.
In the other five meetings, the Rays emerged victorious by scores of 3-2, 1-0, 3-0, 1-0, and 11-3.
While the lopsided eight-run win on Friday, July 24, might draw attention, the four other results favoring the Rays highlight how competitive these two teams can be.
Nevertheless, the Rays have demonstrated they can be the superior team and secure a win over nine innings. The Guardians must now do the same.
Not only did the Rays dominate the Guardians in the regular season, but they are also playing their best baseball at the moment.
In their ALDS matchup against the New York Yankees just days ago, the Rays achieved an impressive three-game sweep.
The last time these two clubs met in a postseason series, the Guardians managed a sweep of their own, taking Game 1 by a 2-1 margin before grinding out a victory in Game 2.
In a 15-inning thriller, the Guardians prevailed 1-0. The game-winning RBI, a walk-off home run, was delivered by then-outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, and the win was credited to then-reliever Sam Hentges.
Since then, both teams have undergone numerous roster changes. Yet the expectation remains that the Guardians can continue to defy expectations, even if the Rays hold a slight edge this time.
"It's about resilience," Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Saturday night. "This group has demonstrated that time and time again throughout the course of the season. With their backs against the wall, they never had any doubt and found a way to make it happen."
With many still questioning the Guardians' ability to remain competitive under the brightest lights of the sport, the team will have another opportunity to silence the doubters in the ALCS.
The Guardians and Rays kick off the series at 8:00 p.m. EST on Monday, Oct. 12, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Cade Cracas is a sports media professional with experience in play-by-play, broadcasting and digital storytelling. He is a recent graduate of Ashland University with degrees in digital media production and journalism. Follow CracasCade.