Series Review: Astros slap Guardians around in 2-1 series win

The Cleveland Guardians bats have disappeared and we’re left wondering why after the  Astros series.

This was a brutally pathetic series. Sure, the Cleveland Guardians won the first game, impressively so, with a 6-1 outing. Triston McKenzie isn’t getting a lot of talk right now, mostly because the squeaky wheel gets the grease and McKenzie’s been rolling smoothly all season. But the offense? The offense has been giving us emotional damage.

Myles Straw, had just two hits and one walk all series. Amed Rosario went 2-12. Owen Miller went 1-12 and saw his batting average drop 14 points. Josh Naylor went 0-11 with a walk and a run.  Steven Kwan went 1-8. Andres Giminez went 1-8.

At least Jose Ramirez had a nice series. Luke Maile went 3-3 in Game 1 and had three runs. While Ernie Clement went 3-8 in the series. Maybe it’s time to consider more time for both men.

Zach Plesac is a name entering the Franmil Reyes (1-7, with a walk) area of concern. In his last five starts, he’s given up 23 runs and five home runs, all while only topping out at five strikeouts. His ERA is now over 5.00. He’s also only getting out of the fifth inning about half the time this season, making the bullpen do extra work for him.

He’s leaving too much up in the strike zone and it’s costing him.

Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros series review

Game 1 – Guardians W (6-1)

Triston McKenzie continues to be the only other consistent starter next to Cal Quantrill in the Guardians rotation, going seven innings and giving up one run on three hits. Luke Maile in just his seventh appearance for the Guards had three hits, one walk, and scored three times. Jose Ramirez racks up four RBIs, but the Astros only give up three earned.

Game 2 – Astros W (7-3)

Zach Plesac has looked awful all year, is it because he doesn’t have any more of the sticky stuff? Another game of five-plus runs given up. Josh Naylor, and Franmil Reyes, go hitless, and Owen Miller and Myles Straw can’t help Jose Ramirez close the gap.

Game 3 – Astros W (2-1)

Cal Quantrill throws a gem and gives up just two runs in six innings, but the offense falls apart. Jose Ramires has just one hit, and the rest of the squad gives the team just three more hits combined. Owen Miller is slumping at a bad time, falling to .273 on the year. The whole team’s struggling at this point.

Series Standouts

Jose Ramirez

5-11, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 2 runs, 1 walk

Bryan Shaw

1.0 IP, 3 strikeouts