​CLEVELAND — It can be difficult to predict how small stretches during a regular season can unfold. The Guardians are fighting against that tide as they enter the stretch run to the playoffs. The Guardians pulled off an aggressive trade deadline, highlighted by deals for outfielder Jo Adell, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, All-Star starting pitcher Foster Griffin and reliever Craig Yoho. It was well received by the fan base and set the stage for an energetic, positive August. That hasn’t come to fruition just yet. As the Guardians welcomed several key additions that fit well onto the roster on paper, they came out of the deadline winning only three of their next 11 games. Despite the aggressive improvements, Cleveland has lost ground in the American League Central race, entering their Aug. 16 game against the San Diego Padres five games behind the Chicago White Sox. Thanks to a poor American League in 2026, the Guardians entered Aug. 16 at 60-64, but still only one game out of the sixth and final wild card spot. They’re in the thick of the AL playoff race, but a 3-8 record wasn’t what they had in mind after adding Adell, Lowe, Griffin and Yoho (along with, technically, catcher Patrick Bailey earlier this season). “I think the way we look, we still have an opportunity in front of us, and we have to play better baseball,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “We have not played well over the last few weeks, and I think everybody believes we’re capable of more.” Guardians standings in AL playoff raceAdell and Lowe were slotted into the lineup, the former as a much-needed right-handed outfielder and the latter as a expected improvement over struggling Kyle Manzardo at first base. Both have made early contributions.Adell is just 7-for-38 with Cleveland, but six of those hits — two home runs, four doubles — have gone for extra bases. Lowe is hitting .290 with an .851 OPS since the trade from Cincinnati. Griffin was thrown into the rotation to join Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo and Tanner Bibee. He was roughed up a bit in his first Cleveland start against the New York Mets but rebounded for a key win in Detroit against the Tigers. Similarly, Yoho was hit hard in back-to-back relief appearances but has tossed consecutive scoreless outings since that time. “Yeah, I think we’ve seen the capabilities of each of those guys have to help us,” Antonetti said. “Offensively, Jo and Nathaniel have fit in seamlessly in the lineup and have done what we’d hope and really added some depth and length to the lineup.“And then I think with Foster, he’s still settling in. … He’s now developed a comfort level with our catchers and our pitching teams. We continue to be confident that he’ll help us for the balance of the season and give us a cache to win the games he starts.” Guardians stats after trade-deadline deals add Jo Adell, Nathaniel Lowe, Foster Griffin, Craig YohoAlong with