The Cleveland Guardians are currently in a 0-2 hole in the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.
Starting on Thursday, the two teams will play at least two games at Progressive Field, three if the Guards manage to win at least one of the first two.
So far, the Guardians have had their fair share of issues in the ALCS: starting pitching hasn’t provided length and has been ineffective, the bullpen is overtaxed, manager Stephen Vogt has had some questionable decisions and the defense hasn’t been sharp.
The offense, however, is a problem too.
Cleveland has scored a total of five runs in the first two games of the series, or 2.5 per game.
That falls short of what the team needs to win considering the state of their rotation.
There are two specific lineup slots that represent a liability for the club, or at least have during the matchup: catcher and right field.
“The Guardians have received almost zero production from RF and C this Postseason: Noel/Brennan 2-25 (.080), 1 BB, 9 SO. Naylor/Hedges 0-23 (.000), 0 BB, 9 SO,” Guardians of the Land posted on X.
The Guardians have received almost zero production from RF and C this Postseason:
Noel/Brennan
2-25 (.080), 1 BB, 9 SONaylor/Hedges
0-23 (.000), 0 BB, 9 SO— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) October 16, 2024
It’s been frustrating at times because some of these players, like Noel, were good in the regular season.
Postseason baseball, so far, has eaten them alive offensively speaking.
There is still hope that some of them can eventually get going, particularly the right fielders, but Cleveland is running out of time.
If there is a perfect moment for some of these hitters to produce is in the three-game home stretch that is about to start.
Austin Hedges is not really on the team for his hitting ability, but more is expected from Jhonkensy Noel, Will Brennan and Bo Naylor.
NEXT: Guardians Manager Delivers Important Message After Game 2 Loss
