The Guardians lost a frustrating game 6-5 yesterday. You probably know that by now.
In lieu of much further news, I am going to offer some takes for you to react to in the comments below:
-The cheapness of Guardians’ ownership is not showing up in their offense. I believe their offense will be fine. It is showing up in the bullpen. Knowing that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz (who would have been either a serviceable back of the rotation starter or a good reliever) would not be with the team, a sensible
ownership group would have spent to shore up that unit. I saw many people calling for Tyler Rogers – 19 innings, 1.86 ERA with Toronto, for a reunion with Jakob Junis – 1.89 ERA in 19 innings with Texas, with Brad Keller – 3.15 FIP in 18 innings with the Phillies, and, God forbid, they could have spent some actual money and got Ryan Helsley who landed a $28M 2-year deal with the Orioles and has put up a 2.53 ERA in 10 innings so far. Playing cheap and gambling they could shore things off of the Rule-5 and waiver wires was a silly way to cut corners. I am sure they will look to improve things at the deadline and we will all hope not to lose too many more games like yesterday.
-Peyton Pallette needs to go back to the White Sox when Sean Armstrong is healthy enough to return. Pallette is the perfect kind of player to carry on a rebuilding team or even a fringe playoff team. Cleveland needs to act like this is THEIR division to win to go on a playoff run and stop running an island for misfit relievers. Pallette throws the ball hard, yep. He has zero extension and can’t locate his secondaries. If he makes it through this season in Cleveland, they’ll immediately option him to Columbus next year, which should tell you all you need to know.
-Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz can kick rocks. Forever.
-I do not condemn Stephen Vogt for batting Steven Kwan leadoff. Managers across baseball will believe in their all-stars for at least 2-3 months of the season. He is not blind. He can see it is harming offensive production, and will eventually make a move. I do wonder if it would be wise to let Kwan – still wearing a wrist brace – to see if some time on the IL would allow his wrist to regain some strength. This would allow the team to let Kahlil Watson get his first taste of the big leagues out of the way, and to move Travis Bazzana to the top of the lineup. For good. Because Kwan, except for 2024, has always been a #6 of #7 hitter in a good lineup.
-I am trying not to freak out about pushing Gavin Williams’ start back a day. I don’t think that happens unless he’s “feeling something.”
-I got a lot of pushback for tweeting about this, but the Guardians really need to do better in the fan experience at Progressive Field, especially for kids. Despite an entire offseason to work in an indoors, heated area, the lower level of the kids’ clubhouse is under construction. Until kids get off college, their wiffle ball tent is not set up. The place is barely staffed. And, the entire stadium feels… dirty. A significant portion of live concession workers have been replaced by automated machines, which feels icky, not that there were even enough concession workers. Even with all the renovations, much of the stadium feels like it is run by an entitled ownership group that just expects people to show up and makes no significant effort to make the ballpark THE place to be. But, they’ll surely remind you that attendance is the reason they couldn’t afford to sign Ryan Helsley.
-Jose Ramirez had a great night last night and Kyle Manzardo looks back to his old form. Travis Bazzana put up insanely good at-bats. Hopefully, this is all a good sign for days ahead.
Hopefully the Guardians win tonight to make me feel better. That’s what’s important, after all.
AROUND MLB:
The Tigers won, but the White Sox, Royals and Twins all lost.
