Guardians series preview: Can we ever beat these guys?
When I used to be a child, Cleveland’s baseball crew was a joke—you could have seen them comedically portrayed within the film Major League. But they shortly grew to become a juggernaut within the Nineteen Nineties, and since then they’ve been constant winners, though they nonetheless lack a championship within the final seven many years. They had been positioned in the identical division because the Royals within the Nineteen Nineties and have been a tricky crew to beat ever since. The Royals have gained the season series towards the Guardians simply six instances (2000, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2015, and 2024) in full seasons since each groups joined the Central Division in 1994.
Cleveland Guardians (18-17) vs. Kansas City Royals (15-19) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Guardians: 4.17 runs scored/recreation (twenty second in MLB), 4.26 runs allowed/recreation (twelfth)
Royals: 4.12 runs scored/recreation (twenty fourth), 4.62 runs allowed/recreation (18th)
This yr’s Guardians crew options two promising rookies. Chase DeLauter made the crew out of spring coaching and leads all American League rookies in wRC+ at 162. He tapered off after a sizzling begin however has gone on a tear currently, hitting .556 (15-for-27) with three doubles and a house run in his final eight video games. Travis Bazzana was the No. 1 total choose in 2024 and was referred to as up every week in the past after hitting .287/.422/.511 with two dwelling runs and eight steals in 24 video games within the minors.
José RamÃrez is off to a gradual begin however is tied for the league lead with 13 steals. He is a profession 6-for-13 (.462) hitter with 5 walks towards Daniel Lynch IV. Kyle Manzardo is a profession .321/.433/.607 hitter with three dwelling runs in 19 video games towards the Royals. Steven Kwan has struggled this yr, hitting .195/.261/.220 towards lefties.
Tanner Bibee has given up simply three runs in 17 innings over his final three begins. Bobby Witt Jr. is a profession .364/.481/.636 hitter with two dwelling runs in 27 plate appearances towards him, however Salvador Perez is 0-for-19 towards him of their matchups. Bibee’s four-seamer has been very hittable this yr, with opponents hitting .394 towards it, however simply .053 towards his curveball.
Gavin Williams is tied for the American League lead with 5 wins already. He led the league with 83 walks final yr. He has a 2.28 ERA in 9 profession begins towards the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. is simply 3-for-24 (.125) towards him.
Joey Cantillo gave up simply three earned runs (plus two unearned) in 15 innings towards the Royals final yr. He had a 3.81 ERA in 21 reduction appearances in 2025, however a 2.96 ERA in 13 begins. He has a 43.8 p.c whiff charge on his changeup and has induced a forty five.7 p.c groundball charge.
Slade Cecconi has given up 16 runs in 16 innings over his final three begins. He allowed only one hit in eight shutout innings in his solely profession begin towards the Royals final yr. The right-hander had a reverse break up final yr, and right-handed hitters are batting .324/.327/.606 towards him this yr.
The Guardians’ bullpen has regressed, posting a 4.30 ERA, however the prime arms are nonetheless strong apart from Hunter Gaddis. He had a 2.29 ERA over the past two seasons however missed the primary two weeks with a forearm damage and has struggled since returning. Lefties are hitting simply .118 towards Tim Herrin this yr, however righties have a .440 on-base share towards him. Cade Smith has transformed 8 of 10 save alternatives this season.
The Guardians had misplaced three consecutive series earlier than taking two of three towards the A’s in Sacramento over the weekend, together with a 14-run outburst on Saturday. They are just like the Royals: a below-average lineup carried by a number of large bats, with good beginning pitching and a strong nearer. The Royals are beginning to climb out of their gap, and a robust homestand towards Central Division opponents might put them proper again within the race.
