Series Review: Cleveland Guardians splitting with the Houston Astros a sign of things to come

After a disastrous first two games, the Cleveland Guardians manage the split with the Houston Astros.

Being able to split a four-game series with the trash-can-loving Houston Astros is always a good sign of things to come. Especially for the rookie-infused Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians really only have three true starters this season, with Cal Quantrill, Triston McKenzie, and Shane Beiber leading the way. Zach Plesac is inconsistent and iffy at best, and until Aaron Civale can stay healthy, it’ll be a carousel of rotating fifth starters.

So to be 56-52 and still only one game back from the Minnesota Twins after this series is all the more impressive. The team is going forward with these rookie players as their key source of offense, but the veteran pitching staff is being relied on to get them through some hairier situations.

After the release of Bobby Bradley and removing Franmil Reyes from the 40-man roster (which designated him for assignment), the team is doubling down on their new future corp. There doesn’t appear to be any veteran late-season additions coming to save the team. So if this team is going to win, it’s going to win on the back of its farm system.

A farm system we’re all hoping has developed and grown the best possible baseball players we can get.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Houston Astros Series Review

Game 1 – Astros Win (6-0)

Zach Plesac’s inconsistent outings came back to bite him again, giving up four runs in less than five innings, sinking the Guards. No offense was seen on the night as the Guards mustered only three hits.

Game 2 – Astros Win (9-3)

Rookie Hunter Gaddis arrived in Cleveland for his first start but never truly showed up. Gaddis got blasted for eight runs, sinking the Guards before they got out of the third inning. Despite a much better outing from the offense, the Guards got pummeled.

Game 3 – Guardians Win (4-1)

Cal Quantrill returned to form and held the Astros in check as Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez finally came to life during the series, driving in three of the team’s four RBIs between them.

Game 4 – Guardians Win (1-0)

Triston McKenzie may find his way into the AL Cy Young race with another outing like this in the near future. McKenzie held the Astros to just two hits, keeping them from getting the series win and extending the Guardians’ own streak of seven straight undefeated series.

Series Standouts

Amed Rosario

2-17, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 Run

Triston McKenzie

8.0 IP, 2 hits, 8Ks, 0 ER

Emmanuel Clase

2.0 2 Ks, 2 Hits, 1 Save, 1 ER

James Karinchak

1.0 IP, 2 ks

Bryan Shaw

2.0 IP, 2 Hits, 1 K, 0 ER