The Cleveland Guardians’ season came to an end Monday night in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. Two things were the primary causes of their demise, one was predictable (the offense) and the other wasn’t (the lack of starting pitching).
We have heard from many over the last month how the offense turned the corner after the deals at the deadline. We heard how they were fifth in the big leagues in that span in scoring runs. That’s one of the lies of dealing with statistics.
Using average runs per game is a solid metric, but in the Guardians’ case it doesn’t show how inconsistent the offense was. For example, in the playoffs, Cleveland had games where they scored nine runs twice and seven runs once in the 11 post-season games. On the other hand, they were shutout once, scored a single tally twice, and put up three runs three times. And remember, they won the deciding fifth game of the Division Series, 2-0.
After obtaining Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe on August 3rd, the Guardians were shutout seven times and scored one run twice in the last 49 games after the trades.
They scored seven times in winning the first game of the ALCS, then scored 11 runs in the last five. That simply isn’t going to get it done.
As for the starting pitching, Steven Vogt and Carl Willis used primarily seven starters for the entire regular season, perhaps the most stable rotation in the game. Until a late July game due to a rainout, they used only five starters when Logan Allen took the mound in a day/night doubleheader.
They traded for Foster Griffin and moved Slade Cecconi to the bullpen. Those were the seven until they started experimenting with using Daniel Espino as an opener for Joey Cantillo in September.
Then in their 11 playoff games, they used Parker Messick, who seemed gassed, for four starts, and Gavin Williams, magnificent in the deciding Game 5 vs. the White Sox, three times. The only other regular rotation piece used in a starting role was Griffin, who pitched in the opener of the ALCS.
Very, very curious.
Cantillo pitched just five innings in the post-season, less than reliever Shawn Armstrong, who by the way acquitted himself very well in the post-season. And by now, everyone is aware that Tanner Bibee, who lead the Guardians in starts during the regular season, faced three batters in the post-season.
This lack of usage took a major toll on the bullpen, with Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith getting just two games off in just two of the 11 contests. The wear and tear showed up for each as they gave up two-run homers in Game 6.
We understand Joe Torre and Terry Francona changed the game in terms of how relievers were used in October, but to ignore the starters wasn’t a good formula.
As a fan, this season ended the way every season since we’ve been following this team since 1965 has, without a World Series team. Hopefully, the franchise understands the goal shouldn’t just be winning the Central, it’s getting rid of the “not since 1948” stigma.
And hopefully, we will have a somewhat normal off-season, and the front office can look to improve the Guardians, but that is probably not in the cards with the owners and players not realizing what the real issue is (it should be about revenue equality).
There is good, young talent here (Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana), a resident superstar in Jose Ramirez, a pro’s pro in Steven Kwan, and a budding ace in Williams. Plenty to be optimistic about, but will the front office be allowed to spend and add to the core?
That’s always the question with the Dolan ownership.
