Are the Guardians’ Playoff Hopes Over After Six-Game Skid and Ortiz’s Leave?

By Oliver Wiener July 04, 2025 09:14

The Cleveland Guardians find themselves at a critical juncture in the 2025 MLB season. After a disappointing six-game losing streak and the sudden administrative leave of starting pitcher Luis Ortiz amid a gambling investigation, many are questioning whether the Guardians’ playoff aspirations are slipping away. While the challenges are significant, a closer look at the team’s current standing and remaining schedule reveals that the postseason door is still ajar though time is running out.

As of early July, Cleveland’s playoff odds have taken a hit. According to DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio, the Guardians carry roughly a 26.7% chance to make the playoffs, with the odds to miss the postseason at 76.7%. Their World Series chances stand at a slim 1.32%, reflecting the uphill battle ahead. The Guardians currently sit second in the AL Central but trail division leader Detroit Tigers by 11.5 games. More troubling is their recent form: a 9-16 record in June, which has significantly eroded their momentum.

The Guardians’ pitching staff has been hit hard, both figuratively and literally. Luis Ortiz, a key part of the rotation, was placed on paid administrative leave on July 3 following an MLB gambling investigation. Ortiz’s absence leaves a glaring hole in a rotation that was already struggling to find consistency. Ortiz’s 2025 numbers before the leave were modest but vital his presence provided innings and strikeouts that the bullpen can ill afford to lose. Manager Brian Snitker and the front office now face the challenge of plugging this gap with limited options.

Compounding the pitching woes, the bullpen has been depleted by injuries to key relievers Trevor Stephan, Paul Sewald, and Shane Bieber, all expected to return only by mid-July. This trio’s absence has put additional strain on Cleveland’s late-inning defense, which has been a weak link during the losing streak.

Offensively, the Guardians have shown flashes but lack the consistency needed to mount a serious playoff push. Their run production has been middling, and the team has struggled to string together rallies in close games. With the AL Wild Card race tightly packed, Cleveland finds itself just 2.5 games out of the final three wild-card spots. The Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners currently hold those positions, but the Guardians remain within striking distance.

General Manager Mike Chernoff faces a pivotal trade deadline. With roughly 80 games remaining, the front office must decide whether to double down on a playoff push or pivot toward a rebuild. Recent reports suggest that Cleveland is exploring both internal promotions calling up prospects like Chase DeLauter and Juan Brito and potential trade acquisitions to bolster the roster. The team’s willingness to be aggressive could prove decisive.

Despite the adversity, the Guardians’ history offers some hope. They won the AL Central in 2024 and advanced to the ALCS before falling to the Yankees. That experience, combined with the long MLB season, means elimination is far from certain. As ESPN’s 2025 first-half MVP and playoff odds tracker notes, Cleveland’s win average has dropped from 81.9 to 77.3, and their playoff probability has fallen from 28.5% to 8.5%, but the season is not yet over.

Manager Brian Snitker remains cautiously optimistic: “We know what’s at stake. We have to play better, and we have to stay together. The road is tough, but we’re not out of it.”

While the Guardians’ playoff hopes have dimmed following their skid and Ortiz’s leave, they are not extinguished. The next few weeks will be critical as Cleveland attempts to stabilize its pitching staff, reignite its offense, and make strategic moves at the trade deadline. The Guardians face a steep climb, but with resilience and smart management, a late-season surge is still within the realm of possibility.