Machine Gun Kelly’s World Series Take Will Hype Up Guardians Fans

The Cleveland Guardians are one of baseball’s best teams and boast a celebrity superfan in rapper Machine Gun Kelly. A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Kelly threw out the first pitch before Tuesday’s game and left a message for the team, posted to Cleveland’s official X account.

“I’ve got a Cleveland hat on my head, but the only thing on my mind is the World Series. Let’s go Guardians! Number one in the league. If you need a sub pitcher, I just showed you my skills. I can do, um, absolutely nothing on the mound, but I’m a fan in the stands. Let’s f***in’ go Cleveland,” he said as he walked through the tunnel.

Upon taking the mound, Kelly decided to hurl the first pitch in an unconventional fashion, throwing the ball into the crowd rather than over home plate. In fairness, he had warned against calling him up for a spot start.

The pitch came before the Guardians faced the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. They entered the game tied for the best record in baseball with the Orioles and Dodgers at 70-49. After missing the playoffs in 2023 following a disappointing season, a strong stretch could see the Guardians make a significant impact in the postseason.

Fangraphs places the Guardians’ playoff chances at an impressive 94.3% entering Tuesday’s action. With a commanding division lead and consistent performance, they are almost guaranteed a return to the playoffs. They also have a 56% chance of clinching a first-round bye.

While the first-round bye didn’t work out well for some teams last year, it would be highly beneficial for the Guardians. Their starting pitching is their weakest link. Having to play a three-game Wild Card series before the Division Series would be a significant disadvantage for the Guardians.

Last year, the Orioles, Braves, and Dodgers all faltered in the Division Series despite earning byes, with only the Astros successfully advancing past the round. Teams with extensive games before clinching the pennant rely heavily on starting pitching. Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery propelled the Rangers to victory last year, but the Guardians will miss Shane Bieber due to Tommy John surgery, and Tanner Bibee is dealing with a shoulder issue. Aside from Bibee, they lack a starter with an ERA+ over 100.

To make Machine Gun Kelly’s aspirations a reality, the Cleveland Guardians must secure their division and clinch a bye to the Division Series. With an offense led by Jose Ramirez, the team has the potential to make a deep playoff run, reminiscent of their 2016 campaign when they last won the American League pennant.