The Cleveland Guardians are keeping their playoff hopes alive after a rough first half. A 10-game losing streak last month dropped their record to 40-48. As of Tuesday, they’ve climbed back to a record of 57-55, eight games behind Detroit in the American League Central Division. They’re 2.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race.

Ideastream Public Media’s Terry Pluto says the team has been winning while navigating adversity. Last week, closer Emmanuel Clase joined starting pitcher Luis Ortiz on paid leave tied to a Major League Baseball investigation into gambling.

“That is enough (of an) issue to really just sink a team, absolutely sink a team,” Pluto said.

Then came the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Guardians were at the center of rumors surrounding their All-Star outfielder and fan-fa

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