Cleveland enters the All-Star break riding a four-game winning streak and sitting in a virtual tie for first place in the AL Central, but the optimism around this roster extends well beyond the standings alone. Several key pieces appear to be trending in the right direction at exactly the moment the Guardians need them most, from a lineup regular finding his stroke again to two injured stars nearing their return. Analyst Hayden Grove laid out exactly why the second half could bring even better days for Cleveland than the encouraging finish to the first half already suggested.
“Don’t look now, but Kwan coming back to form, Ramirez and Martinez coming back soon, Manzardo maybe on the upswing. Guards could be in for a nice second half. Would love to see them add at the deadline,” Grove posted.
Don’t look now, but Kwan coming back to form, Ramirez and Martinez coming back soon, Manzardo maybe on the upswing.
Guards could be in for a nice second half.
Would love to see them add at the deadline.#Guardians
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) July 13, 2026
Steven Kwan has shown signs of shaking off a rough start to his season, driving in runs and playing his usual Gold Glove caliber defense during Cleveland’s series win over Miami, a welcome sight after a first half that had some wondering whether his bat had permanently slowed down. Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez, both sidelined with hand and foot injuries respectively, have progressed steadily through their rehab programs, with the front office targeting a return sometime around late July or early August. Their return alone would give Cleveland back two of its most productive hitters from before the injuries, a significant boost for a lineup that has had to lean heavily on rookies and unexpected contributors in their absence.
Kyle Manzardo is a player who has shown flashes of the power that made him a valued prospect without yet putting together a fully sustained stretch this season. If his early signs of improvement continue, Cleveland would have another middle-of-the-order bat capable of taking pressure off Chase DeLauter and Brayan Rocchio, both of whom have carried significant offensive weight over the last several weeks.
Grove’s mention of the trade deadline adds another layer to the outlook, with Cleveland sitting firmly in contention and possessing exactly the kind of young talent and payroll flexibility that could allow the front office to add rather than simply hold steady. Cleveland’s first half proved this roster can compete even through adversity, and if the pieces Grove identified continue breaking the right way, the second half could look considerably better.
NEXT: Guardians Sweep Their Way Into The All-Star Break
