The red-hot Cleveland Guardians have the best record in the Amercian League. Their strong bullpen has allowed them to shut down hitters. Not much was expected for this team, as they were a big disappointment last season.
The Guardians Own the Best Record In the AL
𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 teams in MLB…
• Atlanta Braves (.739)
• Cleveland Guardians (.720)
• Baltimore Orioles (.667)
• Milwaukee Brewers (.667)𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗧 teams in MLB…
• Chicago White Sox (.120)
• Miami Marlins (.231)
• Houston Astros (.269)
• Colorado Rockies (.269)— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) April 26, 2024
This season, they were in the bottom three in the Opening Day payroll, and their ace, Shane Bieber, was sent to the IL after two starts and required elbow surgery. But somehow, they are 18-7, and it’s unbelievable. Cleveland has just one starter better than the league average, and their superstar, Jose Ramirez, is not even the one carrying the team. Their first baseman, Josh Naylor, is in the top 20 in the Majors in hitting. Steven Kwan, the number-one contact hitter in the game, is off to a stupendous start.
🗣️ LET HUNTER EAT!
Transitioning to the bullpen has been smooth sailing for Hunter Gaddis so far.#ForTheLand | @CLE_CLF pic.twitter.com/gSyeLqkLd0
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 26, 2024
New manager Steven Vogt has a lights-out bullpen. Their bullpen is doing high-leverage damage on the mound. Emmanuel Clase (relief ace), Cade Smith, Scott Barlow, and Hunter Gaddis have pitched around 12-13 innings and have recorded notable ERAs. Clase has a 0.69 ERA, Gaddis has a 0.00 ERA, Smith has a 3.00 ERA, and Barlow has a 3.75 ERA. The Guardians just pieced this all together. Their bullpen is good enough to have the second-best ERA in all of baseball. These pitchers are used a lot and have done a great job.
Smooth Sailing Guardians
It’s amazing how, one season, a team could be down in the dumps and then the next look like a completely different. This is exactly what has happened with the Guardians. They’ve become a rejuvenated team in the American League Central and are currently in first place in their division. It shows you that defense is just as important as offense. While this team has been hot offensively, the Guardians are where they’re at mainly because of their lights-out bullpen. Sure, it’s essential to have a strong starting rotation.
But pitchers will have bad games, and it’s important to have a strong bullpen that can come in and put up zeros on the board. It’s also motivating that this team has remained on top despite Bieber’s loss. It shows that you can’t rely on one player and that everyone needs to contribute. This Guardians team is looking strong this season with a solid offense and masterful defense.
Main Photo Credits: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
