Back to even on the week, the Guardians proved that they can come back strong after a rough patch. They took down one of the biggest threats in the American League and avoided getting swept once again.
Bibee Gets First Win
While win-loss record isn’t much of an important stat for pitchers these days, it doesn’t look the greatest when a pitcher is 0-7 to start the season. That was exactly the case for Tanner Bibee who had not earned a win in any of his first 13 starts of the season. The Guardians haven’t lost every game he’s started, he just did not earn a decision in any of those wins. That was until Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Bibee went eight innings, giving up zero runs on just three hits. He walked two and only struck out three, but his eight innings of work in a 6-0 ballgame all but guaranteed him his first win of the season. He acknowledged that wins are “the most useless stat” in baseball but agreed that getting his first was a weight off of his shoulders.
Bazzana Has A Night as Big as Texas
Even though the Guards could not pull off a win in Friday’s 3-2 nailbiter versus Texas, they won the hit column thanks to four huge at bats from rookie Travis Bazzana. He started off hot with a leadoff home run in the first inning, his fourth of the season. In the top of the third, he led off with a single and stole second base. Two innings later, he hit a triple into right field but was not brought home by any of his teammates. He struck out in his final at bat of the night keeping him from the cycle, but he certainly boosted his batting average and slugging percentage with the attempt. He now sits at .271/.355/.444 for the season.
Smith Earns Big Honors
Closer Cade Smith was named the American League Reliever of the Month for May on Wednesday. From May 1st to the 31st, he led MLB with 12 saves while striking out 25 hitters in 13.2 innings. While he had a rough start to the season, he’s gotten right back on track and has become the closer that Cleveland needed after losing Clase. He’s sitting at a 2.83 ERA and 1.08 WHIP for the season and has been a strikeout machine. If he can continue to lock down games late, he’ll be a key part to getting the Guards back to the postseason.
Social Media Spotlight
Doing a bit of a self-plug here, but my favorite social media post from this week was one that I made. I went to the Columbus Clippers game on Saturday, and while I only got to see one inning of baseball thanks to a two-hour weather delay, I got to visit with my favorite former player/current Triple-A pitching coach, Nick Wittgren.
