• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

Are The Guardians Contenders Or Pretenders So Far This Season?

By Spencer Richardson May 27, 2022

Shortstop Javier Baez #28 of the Detroit Tigers tags out Amed Rosario #1 of the Cleveland Guardians trying to stretch a hit into a double during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on May 26, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Guardians 4-3.
(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

 

What stage of alarm are we at for the Guardians?

DEFCON-3?

2?

*whispers* 1?

On Thursday, Cleveland dropped yet another game to the Detroit Tigers, 4-3.

Let’s say, it was a short day at the office for pitcher Konnor Pilkington.

The former Mississippi State Bulldog lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks.

Offensively, the team found a way to get hits, knocking eight.

It was yet another example of a team that’s failed to find sync for much of the season.

So at about the quarter-season mark, have the Guardians been contenders or pretenders so far?

 

Make Believe

Fans will cling longingly to the start of the 2022 MLB season.

It was April, Steven Kwan was unbeatable, José Ramirez was going to coast to AL MVP, the batting triple crown, and Ohio Senate.

The pitching wasn’t awesome, but who cared?

As long as the offense was putting up 10, 11, *gasp* 17 runs, Cleveland might as well have team mascot Slider the Purple Swedish Chef on the mound.

Life sure does come at you fast.

This was a team that, at the end of April, led the American League in RBIs, average, hits, and runs.

As of May 27, Cleveland sits seventh in RBIs and runs, fourth (and just barely) in average, and 11th in hits.

Again, those May numbers aren’t across the majors, but just in the American League.

And that’s despite Ramirez leading the majors in RBIs.

The man wanted to stay in Cleveland, no matter the cost. Now, he's lighting it up for the Guardians, leading Major League Baseball in RBIs. Show your appreciation for José Ramírez! https://t.co/IHD8m8PB6m pic.twitter.com/FGeTDjCUFG

— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) May 21, 2022

The current woes began in earnest against the Chicago White Sox on May 9.

Since that series started, Cleveland has played 13 games.

They’ve won four.

It’s fairly easy to see why.

Across those 13 games, the Guardians are averaging roughly seven hits a night.

Not bad, but not great.

In the same sample, the team has punched in an anemic four runs per contest.

Four. Runs.

And that’s with two heavy outlier performances buffing up that average (a 12-run night to remember against Chicago and an eight-run win in Minnesota).

So we’re left with the issue that Cleveland doesn’t really struggle to hit the ball.

It would be lovely to see the team bump up that seven hits/night number, but we can live with that for now.

Scoring only four runs on those seven hits?

Not going to cut it.

Steven Kwan has dropped off, Franmil Reyes has been borderline-unplayable, and Ramirez can’t win games on his own.

 

Mound-tain or Molehill?

Cleveland’s pitching so far hasn’t been masterful.

The team sports the 13th-worst ERA (3.96), on par with Texas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

The rotation’s OBP and OPS are both . . . just average.

In fairness, Cleveland’s pitching has been better lately.

The arms have only given up some 2.83 earned runs a night over the last six games ( a seven-run stinker by Zach Plesac keeps that number higher than it probably should be).

Just a reminder that Triston is only 24.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/ZjAjEVQQCk

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 24, 2022

But it’s still a rotation that’s posted average numbers for most of the season.

“Average” is probably an apt description as any for this team.

Hope Horizon

If there’s any hope, it’s that Cleveland has been here before.

This season.

From April 22-28, the Guardians lost all seven games they played.

They followed that up by winning five of their next six.

Cleveland is facing another stretch of very winnable games.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what we said in early May when the squad was staring at the Reds and Tigers.

If the Guardians want to prove they are more than an average ball club, they need to turn things around, stat.

The White Sox still aren’t the team folks expected they’d be, but the Twins aren’t going anywhere.

Is this team an offensive juggernaut?

Or is it just average?

Probably the latter.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

7 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

7 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

7 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

7 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

7 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

7 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

8 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

8 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

8 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

8 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

8 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

8 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

8 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

8 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

8 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

8 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

8 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.