Guardians Series Review: Guards and Reds clash for Ohio Cup

The Cleveland Guardians secured the Ohio Cup over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cleveland Guardians are rolling after a rough start to the Royals’ series. After scoring one run in two games, the Guardians, who are now 4-2, have now scored 44 runs over the last four games. They have a +/- differential of +23, the highest in the league so far. Sure, it’s only six games in, but let us have this, dangit.

The Guardians to their credit looked great in their two-game series against the Reds. Their defense was also much better in Cincinnati than it was in Kansas City, with the team not making any major mistakes fielding and rookie Steven Kwan looking great in Game 1, throwing out Kyle Farmer.

We’ll recap the five biggest contributors from the series below, but I want to take a moment and explain the fifth selection; Austin Hedges. Hedges went 0-6 and has not registered a hit yet all year. While that sounds bad, and it is, the point of baseball isn’t just to get hits; it’s to get on base.

Hedges did just that, walking two times in the two-game series and getting on a third time via a hit by pitch. Not only did he get on base three times, but he was able to score three times as well. Proving the importance of base runners.

Watching someone like Franmil Reyes be absolutely awful at the plate, and knowing that Bobby Bradley can’t find time, you have to wonder why. It’s because Reyes and Bradley strike out a lot. They go for the big swing more than not, which is why both men have more career strikeouts than hits.

Hedges is not having a good start to the year, but if you can get on and not cost the team an out, you put everyone in a better position to succeed. Hedges did just that, which is why he made the Top 5.

Breaking down the Guardians’ trip to Cinncinatti

Game Notes:

Game 1: Guardians W 10-5

Shane Bieber started off really well with a no-hitter but fell apart in the sixth, which saw a tired arm give up three runs. Steven Kwan threw out Kyle Farmer from left field, racking up a double-play with the help of first basemen Owen Miller. Jose Ramirez hit a grand slam and ended the day with six RBIs.

Game 2: Guardiasn W 7-3

Myles Straw and Jose Ramirez showed up. Straw went 4-5, with a walk and a run. Ramirez went 3-4, with 3 RBI (1 HR) and a run. Oscar Mercado went 2-5 and had hit his third home run of the season. Triston McKenzie and Eli Morgan really shut down the Reds’ offense. While the endurance in the staff isn’t there yet, the control is.

Top 5 Series Performers

Jose Ramirez

6-9, 9 RBI, 2 HR (1 GS), 2 Runs

Owen Miller

5-10, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs

Triston McKenzie

4.0 IP, 6 Ks, 3 H

Eli Morgan

3.0, 4k, 1 H, 1 ER,

Austin Hedges

0-6, 2 walks, 1 HBP, 3 Runs