The most notable improvement with the Cleveland Guardians this year has been the uptick in offensive production. At times in 2025, Cleveland had the most lifeless lineup in baseball, but Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana graduating from the minors has reinvigorated this entire organization.
Bazzana has transitioned to the big leagues so seamlessly that he has now overtaken the leadoff spot in the lineup, while DeLauter has settled in nicely in the No. 3 spot. Future Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez bats between them, which is an arrangement that one former Guardian is quite a big fan of.
Pitcher-turner-analyst Jensen Lewis recently raved about the new lineup during an episode of BIGPLAY Cleveland Show. He is a big fan of the new top of the lineup and believes having your two best hitters at the top is the right way to go about things.
“Your first and second hitters are traditionally your best hitters and you want the max amount of ABs possible,” said Lewis.
"Your first and second hitters are traditionally your best hitters and you want the max amount of ABs possible." #GuardsBall@JLEWFIFTY LOVES the Guards new look lineup.
presented by @FanDuel https://t.co/sNKNQJSEH5 pic.twitter.com/ES6DIA27XU
— BIGPLAY Cleveland Show (@BIGPLAYCLEshow) May 30, 2026
DeLauter has already displayed elite traits in terms of plate discipline. He ranks in the top five percent of baseball in chase rate and strikeout rate while having more walks than strikeouts. Bazzana’s eye is right up there as well, as he has a .405 on-base percentage through 100+ at bats, which made his ascension to the leadoff spot an easy decision to make.
Ramirez hasn’t gotten off to the best start, but he is still putting together good at bats and getting on base. His presence along in between the two rookies certainly helps them both, and it’s going to be a fun summer if all three of them can get hot at the same time.
As great as the new top of the order has been, there are still nine guys in the lineup. Others like Angel Martinez and Kyle Manzardo have woken up of late, but there is still room for the bottom of the order to improve as well and join the party.
It’s encouraging that the Guardians have been able to make such notable improvements on offense. It was the main reason they fell short in October the last two years, but perhaps this trip will be different should the team find a way to win the AL Central for a third year in a row.
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