News and Notes: The Guardians Win Nine of Nine In Nine

News and Notes for Monday, May 27th, 2024

The Royals finally lost a game, but the Guardians did not.

Andres Gimenez and Johnathan Rodriguez both had two hits, Jose Ramirez had two walks including one of the unintentional-intentional variety with the bases loaded (and a home run robbed by Jo Adell), Ben Lively went seven innings giving up two runs and Emmanuel Clase was dominant again as the Guardians won their ninth straight game 5-4.

The Guardians handled a bad team in the Angels in exactly the manner one would hope with a three game sweep and achieved their best start since 1995:

All wasn’t perfect as Josh Naylor is clearly in an 8-9 game slump, going 0-5, David Fry’s magic against lefties didn’t show up as he was 0 for 4 with a walk, and Sam Hentges still looks shaky giving up two runs and requiring Scott Barlow to come in (Barlow helped those runs score, giving up two hits before getting a strikeout).

Lively continues to rely on a wide pitch-mix with five pitches being thrown at 8% or higher rates yesterday, but he did throw the fastball a little more often than normal at 39%. Lively has been an unsung hero for the Guardians and his ability to save the pen today should give the team the chance to let Cade Smith close today, if needed, and Emmanuel Clase avoid the third straight appearance.

Gimenez had a part in two nifty double-plays and Austin Hedges (!!) walked twice.

The Athletic’s Zack Meisel has a list of stats to know for the Guardians’ great start to the season. MLB.com’s Adrian Garro has players saying “it’s just fun baseball.” Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes reports that Emmanuel Clase is Ben Lively’s favorite pitcher.

The Guardians will put their mettle to the test against Austin Gomber of the Colorado Rockies today. I firmly remember an absolute Gombering of the Guardians last year by the Colorado lefty, and he’s having a great season. But, no one should doubt the abilities of this Cleveland team. It’s Memorial Day, always the best first marker to look at to evaluate a team, and this Guardians team looks like they are not only good... they just might be great.

Travis Bazzana and Oregon State, Charlie Condon and Georgia, Braden Montgomery and Texas A&M, J.J. Wetherholt and West Virginia and Nick Kurtz and Wake Forest will all hear their seedings in the NCAA baseball tournament, leading to the College World Series, today at noon eastern time. You can then follow the exploits of potential number one picks in postseason play starting this coming weekend.

AROUND MLB:

The Royals finally lost a game. Hallelujah.

The Twins also lost.

The Tigers won because the Blue Jays bullpen is awful.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is done for the season with a torn ACL which is bad for baseball fans.

May you have a safe and restful Memorial Day as we remember the men and women who have given their lives in the armed forces, and their families, for their sacrifice.