Guardians enter September with playoff fate in their hands

State of play: The Guardians currently hold the AL's final wild-card spot after winning eight of their last 10 games.

• Cleveland plays three games against the Toronto Blue Jays, who trail the Guardians by 1.5 games.
• The team then hosts the Detroit for four games, with the Tigers lingering toward the bottom of a crowded wild-card race.

Between the lines: The Guardians also remain within striking distance of the AL Central-leading White Sox.

Zoom in: The Guardians' offense could be reaching peak form with Chase DeLauter — the team's best hitter this season — looking healthy again.

• José Ramírez may also finally be heating up after going two-for-three with four RBIs Sunday and hitting his first homer since June 6.

What's next: The schedule gives the Guardians a chance to take control of the wild-card race before things get tougher.

• After this homestand, Cleveland heads to Baltimore and Minnesota — two more teams still hanging around the crowded AL playoff picture.

The bottom line: A big week at Progressive Field could turn Cleveland from a team clinging to the final wild-card spot into one with some September breathing room.