Cleveland Guardians are off to a blazing start with MLB's best record under rookie manager

CLEVELAND (AP) — Heads bobbed in unison around Cleveland’s clubhouse late Sunday afternoon as techno music thumped from a floor speaker that also projected colored lights around the room.

The mood was both upbeat and typical as some of the Guardians played cards or video games or chilled after a series sweep.

Another spring day at Progressive Field.

Another win.

Rarely, if ever, in the discussion among baseball’s top contenders, the Guardians are playing better than anyone. They’re off to the franchise’s best start in 25 years and showing signs of being around for the long haul.

At 16-6 under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, who has pushed every correct button so far, the Guardians head into the final days of the season’s first month with the best record in the majors and atop the AL Central.

Cleveland hasn’t started this hot since 1999, and was only better through 22 games in 1966, when it went 17-5 out of the gate.