CLEVELAND — The Guardians and Minnesota Twins enter arguably the most important series of the season for both teams up to this point.
The Guardians enter Monday with a four-game lead over the Kansas City Royals and a 6.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. Their magic number has dwindled down to three due to the tiebreakers, meaning the Guardians could clinch a playoff spot during this four-game series against the Twins.
The Twins, while still hoping to get back into the division race, are also in danger of losing their Wild Card spot, as the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners both open Monday 2.5 games back for the final playoff spot.
Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from Monday night's game.
Emmanuel Clase records save No. 46; Guardians beat the Twins
The Guardians' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to two, which means it could happen Tuesday, as Cleveland has beaten the Twins 4-3 Monday night. Emmanuel Clase now has a career-high and league-high 46 saves.
For the first time all night, the Guardians have the lead.
With a runner on, Kyle Manzardo absolutely crushed a two-run home run to right field to put Cleveland up 4-3. Manzardo turned back toward the dugout, yelled and slammed his bat to the ground before jogging to first base. That was his biggest swing as a Guardian so far.
The Guardians loaded the bases with nobody out in the seventh inning via two walks and a single. Daniel Schnemann was struck out by Pablo Lopez on three pitches, but Angel Martinez followed with an RBI single to left field to cut the Twins' lead to 3-2. Lopez's final batter of the game was Andres Gimenez, who struck out.
Griffin Jax then retired Jose Ramirez via a groundout to end the inning with the Twins holding onto a 3-2 lead.
The Guardians are on the board, but a blunder has ended their chance of doing any further damage in the fifth.
With two runners on and two outs, Andres Gimenez grounded a ball to the left side that was going to be a difficult play. It was bobbled a bit, allowing one run to score. But Angel Martinez, who started on second, also rounded third base and was caught in between third and home, and he was tagged out for the final out in the inning and the Twins leading 3-1.
The Guardians are having some trouble finding any success against Pablo Lopez, who has limited Cleveland to just three hits through the first four innings.
Matthew Boyd won't escape the third inning.
The Twins put up a three-run inning in the third and continued to threaten, ending Boyd's night at 64 pitches. Pedro Avila is entering the game.
In a truly bizarre situation, Andres Gimenez is being checked on by trainers after a collision with an umpire.
Byron Buxton hit a ball back up the middle with two runners in scoring position. As Gimenez ranged to his right to field it, he ran into the second base umpire. The ball rolled into center field, and Gimenez remained down for a few minutes. Team trainers checked on him, and he's remaining in the game.
The Twins now have a 3-0 lead. They first scored via a passed ball by Bo Naylor.
Matthew Boyd and Pablo Lopez have each pitched around some trouble, but ultimately haven't been burned yet. The Twins have two hits through two innings and the Guardians have three, but neither offense has been able to make it count.
Lopez was helped out by Byron Buxton, who made a great catch right at the center field wall. Jose Ramirez also extended his hit streak to nine games and his on-base streak to 15 games with a single in the first inning.
Below is some pregame information.
The Guardians (86-64) entered Sunday's slate of games with a 4-game lead over the Kansas City Royals (82-68). The Twins have fallen behind and are now in a 6.5-game hole in the AL Central.
The Twins' lead over the Detroit Tigers for the final Wild Card spot has also shrunk to 2.5 games.
Angel Martinez could be trusted with leadoff spot with Steven Kwan injury sidelining All-Star left fielder
Angel Martinez was recalled prior to Saturday's game and could be trusted with the leadoff responsibilities as long as Steven Kwan is out with back soreness.
Guardians magic number
The Guardians entered Friday with a magic number to clinch a playoff spot at three (technically four, but it's three due to the tiebreakers) and a magic number to win the division at nine.
The magic number will lower every time the Guardians win or every time the second-place team in those scenarios loses.
Lane Thomas heating up with Guardians
With his dad's help as a former race car driver, Lane Thomas is finding his way with the Guardians .
Sam Hentges to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery
Sam Hentges' 2024 season is finished, and his entire 2025 season is also in jeopardy .
Jose Ramirez has 30/30 season in 2024
Jose Ramirez became the first Cleveland hitter in franchise history with multiple 30/30 seasons.
MGK tossed the ceremonial first pitch, but he did so in an interesting manner that was anything but traditional .
Jhonkensy Noel's renewed approach on putting the ball in play has led to breakout 2024 season
Jhonkensy knows he has the power. It took a new focus on contact and mobility to lead to his great rookie season thus far.
Guardians name CC Sabathia to team Hall-of-Fame
CC Sabathia is now in the Guardians' Hall-of-Fame, and he offered a two-part message to Cleveland fans .
Guardians No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana meets Jose Ramirez, wants to grow the game in Australia
It all finally sank in for Travis Bazzana , the top overall draft pick in the draft, when he stepped onto the field at Progressive Field and met Jose Ramirez and others.
Major League Baseball released the 2025 schedules .
2024 National Sports Card Convention comes to Cleveland
The National Sports Card Convention was in Cleveland recently. We broke down how we'd spend $100 , ranked the most mind-blowing items we could find and listed the top collectibles for under $50 .
Today's game will be televised on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).
After this current four-game series against the Twins, the Guardians go on the road for a quick — and their last — road trip of the season, with two games against the St. Louis Cardinals up next. The Guardians then return home for the final five games of the year, two against the Cincinnati Reds and three against the Houston Astros.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins recap; Kyle Manzardo home run in 8th wins it
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