The Cleveland Guardians offense has seen better days, you could say.
The team has lost three straight games after being swept by the San Diego Padres.
The home opener against the Chicago White Sox can’t get here soon enough, but first, the Guardians need to play three at the Los Angeles Angeles.
Cleveland scored just four runs in those forgettable games in San Diego, so manager Stephen Vogt is willing to stir the pot a bit to see if his team shows some kind of reaction.
Here is Friday’s lineup to face righty Jose Soriano:
Looking for a W tonight.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/yt7UTuOVBR
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 4, 2025
Normally, Nolan Jones is the right fielder against right-handed pitchers, and most of Jhonkensy Noel’s playing time comes against lefties.
However, Vogt is looking to try something different and is sending Noel out there against a righty with the hope he can help the stagnant offense get going.
Noel hadn’t logged a start since Monday, and that came against southpaw Kyle Hart.
If he wants to have a chance to eat into Jones’ playing time, he knows this is when he needs to take advantage.
“Big Christmas” is blessed with raw power, and that much became clear last year in the American League Championship Series.
As a rookie, Noel had a .486 slugging percentage and hit 13 home runs in limited playing time.
He is a monster against lefties but can hold his own against righties.
Other than Noel, Vogt is using a lineup similar to the one he usually employs.
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