It’s been a tough few weeks for the Cleveland Guardians — except on the field.Star closer Emmanuel Clase joined teammate Luis Ortiz in being placed on leave as part of an investigation into sports betting. Then the front office traded away former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber as he neared a return from Tommy John surgery — not exactly the type of move a team makes when it fancies itself a contender.And yet, the Guardians have won nine of their last 11, even after a loss Sunday to the Chicago White Sox. They are a half-game behind the New York Yankees for the final wild card in the American League.After losing to Detroit on July 6 — just over a month ago — the Guardians had dropped 10 in a row and trailed the AL Central-leading Tigers by 15 1/2 games. That lead is now six. If Cleveland actually catches Detroit and wins the division, it would be the biggest comeback in the divisional play era.Here are the largest comebacks to date, according to Sportradar.1978 New York Yankees (14 games): New York won the AL East thanks to Bucky Dent’s homer in a one-game playoff at Fenway Park, and although this was a painful episode in Red Sox history, the Yankees won this more than Boston lost it. New York went 30-9 to finish the regular season. After stumbling in early September, the Red Sox later won eight in a row to force the playoff.1995 Seattle Mariners (13 games): After a win on Aug. 2, the California Angels led Seattle by 13 in the AL West and Texas by 11. Then the Angels went 22-34 the rest of the way while the Mariners were 36-20. When the teams met in a one-game playoff, it was a 9-1 blowout in Seattle’s favor, and although wild cards were in the playoffs for the first time, California couldn’t even salvage one of those.2012 Oakland Athletics (13 games): Fresh off two str …
