When the Cleveland Guardians traded Shane Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays, it made sense.
The Guardians' season appeared over, so why not give their ace a chance to go win elsewhere?
Then, something funny happened: The Guardians pretty much forgot how to lose.
They made an incredible run from 15.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central Division.
Except, when they got to the playoffs, they didn't have Bieber to count on, and the Tigers eliminated the Guardians.
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That heightens what's about to happen to Bieber on Monday night.
He's slated to be the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the ALCS. If Toronto wins, it's a trip to the World Series to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bieber will have the baseball in his hands with the chance to help the Blue Jays return to the Fall Classic for the first time in a generation.
The Guardians sure would've loved Bieber to be on their side in a season that was still going for them.
Bieber hadn't even pitched in the majors at the time of the trade. He was in the midst of a minor league rehab stint as he came back from Tommy John surgery. There was definite risk involved for the Blue Jays.
But this is exactly why they traded for him. They wanted a guy they could count on in a Game 7.
The Rogers Centre will be rocking on Monday night. If Bieber is up to the task, the Blue Jays will get to continue their season, and Guardians fans will all watch with mixed emotions as their former Cy Young winner does his thing in a different uniform.
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