Cleveland Guardians Playoff Primer: Who’s Trending Up—and Who’s Trending Down?
– by Mario Crescibene
With the playoff spot secured and a three-game series at home against the Detroit Tigers on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to assess key players and see how they’re trending. As I’ve noted before, this team has a lot of flexibility, with multiple options at nearly every position. In the playoffs, success often comes down to riding the hot hand, especially in short series where timely performance can make all the difference. Let’s take a closer look at several key players to see who
is trending up…and who’s trending down.
Tanner Bibee (SP)
Bibee has found his rhythm at exactly the right time, turning in a dominant September with a 1.30 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. His last seven starts show continued steadiness, posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. After some bad luck and visible frustration earlier in the year, he now looks closer to his 2023–24 form and appears ready to help lead the rotation into October. He should be a key piece for the series against Detroit.
Status: Trending Up
Joey Cantillo (SP)
After an early-season stint in the bullpen and a trip to Triple-A to refine his arsenal as a starter, Cantillo has returned looking sharp and confident. He posted a 1.55 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in September, highlighted by a .189 opponent average. His last seven outings show equally impressive marks (1.59 ERA, 1.01 WHIP). Whether the Guardians use him as a starter or long reliever this postseason, he’s showing the best version of himself at the perfect time.
Status: Trending Up
Erik Sabrowski (RP)
Sabrowski has been a shutdown presence out of the bullpen throughout September, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a .143 opponent average while allowing runs in only two of his 12 outings. Over that stretch he’s struck out 15 batters in 10⅓ innings, showing excellent command and swing-and-miss stuff. His recent run is even stronger, with a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across his last seven appearances. He enters the postseason as a dependable late-inning weapon for Cleveland.
Status: Trending Up
Bo Naylor (C)
Back in late July, I wrote that Naylor looked more like a backup catcher than a true everyday option. But through the month of September, he’s made me eat those words. Naylor delivered a fantastic final month, hitting .290 with an .872 OPS while launching three home runs. Over his last 15 games, he’s been even better, batting .300 with a .907 OPS, again adding those three homers. Beyond the offensive surge, Cleveland’s dominant late-season pitching run owes plenty to Naylor’s steady game-calling and handling of the staff. He’s peaking at exactly the right time.
Status: Trending Up
Gabriel Arias (SS)
Arias is entering October on a cold streak that raises questions about his effectiveness at the plate. While his September numbers were modest (.210 average), his recent splits are more concerning: he’s hitting just .130/.231/.261 over the last seven games, .193/.233/.351 over the last 15, and .194/.245/.320 over the last 30. His raw power is undeniable—balls jump off his bat when he connects—but a swing-happy approach is undermining that strength. To be a contributor in the playoffs, Arias must show more patience and force pitchers to deliver pitches he can drive.
Status: Trending Down
C.J. Kayfus (1B/RF)
After a rough end to August, Kayfus has turned things around impressively, hitting .286 with a .357 OBP and .531 slugging percentage in September. Beyond his offensive surge, his defense at first base has arguably been stronger than either Manzardo or Noel. With this combination of hot hitting and solid glove work, Kayfus is proving to be a reliable contributor as the playoffs approach. With multiple options in the outfield, expect Kayfus to hold down the starting first base role.
Status: Trending Up
Angel Martínez (CF)
Martínez has been a true rollercoaster at the plate this season, with a batting average that spikes and dips dramatically month to month. He started strong in April at .333, then dropped to .213 in May and .184 in June, rebounded to .263 in July, fell to .138 in August, and climbed slightly to .219 in September. Over his last seven games, he’s hit just .100, with .211 over the last 15 and .192 over the last 30. His aggressive approach can produce big hits in bunches, but inconsistency makes him a potential liability in the lineup. Defensively, he remains one of the team’s best center fielders, so he may see more late-game work while waiting for his bat to heat up.
Status: Trending Down
Playoff Rocchio (2B)
As September comes to a close and the calendar turns to October, Playoff Rocchio is back with a vengeance. Who else would you expect to hit the game-winning three-run homer to help clinch the Central Division championship? While his play since being recalled from Columbus speaks for itself, the bigger story is that the postseason is here—and so is Playoff Rocchio—ready to make his impact when it matters most.
Status: Trending Up
