The Cleveland Guardians are clinging to a 1.5-game lead in the AL Central with mediocre starting pitching and an inconsistent offense.
Struggling players such as Tyler Freeman, Will Brennan, Brayan Rocchio and Andrés Giménez not only remain on the roster, but play almost every day.
It’s baffling that Cleveland, having red-hot prospects and players in Triple-A, refuses to make moves to put the team in a better position to win.
One of them is giving first baseman Kyle Manzardo another chance.
Yes, the player struggled to the tune of a .207/.241/.329 line in 87 MLB plate appearances earlier in the season.
However, he now seems more mature at the plate and has clearly made adjustments.
The numbers show it, especially recent ones.
“Manzardo has now homered in back-to back games and has 41 XBH in just 82 games on the year for Columbus. Last three games:- 7-14 5R 1(2B) 2HR 4RBI 2BB .500 AVG,” Guardians Prospective tweeted.
Manzardo has now homered in back-to back games and has 41 XBH in just 82 games on the year for Columbus.
Last three games:
7-14 5R 1(2B) 2HR 4RBI 2BB .500 AVG#ForTheLand https://t.co/vHQ8Ga1dmW
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 30, 2024
Manzardo, basically, has hit one extra-base hit every two games in Triple-A, which is an incredible ratio.
The Guardians have a player who has accumulated a .265/.400/.544 line with 19 homers in Columbus, yet they continue to play mediocre hitters instead.
They are obviously not going to demote Giménez or Josh Naylor, but there are plenty of other ways to bring up Manzardo.
Perhaps we see him this weekend when rosters expand from 26 to 28 players, but he should have been in Cleveland at least a couple of weeks ago.
Manzardo is no longer a liability against left-handed pitching, is on quite a groove, and could give the Guards a solid, middle-of-the-lineup producer.
NEXT: Guardians Triple-A Team Boasts Elite Record And Deep Pool Of Talented Players
