Guardians Need To Be Creative To Get Runs Across The Plate

About a month ago, we wrote about how the Cleveland Guardians’ offense was looking promising. They improved their on base percentage and their at bats looked better. However, that hasn’t led to much success.

In the 12 games played thus far in June, Steven Vogt’s squad has scored more than four runs in a game just four times. In fact, we can stretch that number to 23 games, dating back to May 19th, where the Guardians have failed to score more than four.

Yikes!

The on base percentage has dropped to 11th in the AL, up from dead last a year ago, but they have plummeted to 14th (second last) in runs scored in the Junior Circuit.

And worse yet, Jose Ramirez is likely out for 5-7 weeks, and Angel Martinez is on the 10-day IL. They are the team’s home run leaders, and rookie Chase DeLauter, tied for third in homers (with Kyle Manzardo) and the club leader in RBIs, has a fracture in his ribs, and he might join Ramirez and Martinez on the IL.

So, what can the Guardians do to generate enough runs to stay in the playoff race? First, we would stress continuing to be patient at the plate. We understand that human nature makes athletes want to be the guy to get the big hit, hit a home run. It happens all the time in extra-inning games.

Being patient is better and as we stress all the time, what is a hitter doing when they walk? They aren’t making an out.

They also need to be more aggressive on the bases. Cleveland is currently second in the AL in stolen bases with 69, but 24 of those are from Ramirez, who is second in the league with 24.

Brayan Rocchio is also in the top ten, ranking ninth with 12, and we know Travis Bazzana, Steven Kwan, and when they are in the lineup, Petey Halpin and Stuart Fairchild can run too.

We understand where the game is at from a strategic standpoint, but it might be time to play some “old school” baseball as well. Bunting and starting runners to open up holes on the infield might work.

But they have to execute. Scoring runs with outs isn’t optimal, but they still count.

However, in reality, they need Steven Kwan is start hitting like the player he has been since he came to the big leagues. They need David Fry, to provide some pop in the lineup. He would seem to be a player who should get more at bats with the players who are down.

And Manzardo needs to keep going he has over the past month, and Rhys Hoskins has to be the 20 HR he has been in his career.

Amazingly, in those 23 games since May 19th, the Guardians have gone 11-12 despite a rather anemic offense. But you have to think playing .500 ball is not sustainable for the long haul.

If there was ever a time for someone to get hot, this is the perfect time to do it.