The Cleveland Guardians had a titanic task on Sunday: defeating Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals to complete a series sweep, which would have been their second in the week after taking all three games against the Chicago White Sox.
They did get to Ragans early in the game, but had no answer for him as he settled down and pitched into the eighth inning of a 4-2 loss for Cleveland.
Despite the defeat, the team has looked much more competitive and just wrapped up a solid week at home.
“Final: Royals 4, Guardians 2. Cleveland finishes the homestand 5-1 and now heads off for a six-game trip to Baltimore and Pittsburgh,” Guardians insider Tim Stebbins posted on X.
Final: Royals 4, Guardians 2
Cleveland finishes the homestand 5-1 and now heads off for a six-game trip to Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) April 13, 2025
No, the Guards’ offense didn’t produce much on Sunday, but that’s to be expected against Ragans, one of the very best pitchers in the game.
However, they were always in the game, unlike last week when they dropped five of six games and often looked lost.
The tables have turned, though: this week, Cleveland took five of the six games they played.
Granted, three of these games were against the Sox, but they all count in the standings.
This Guardians squad badly needed a homestand, and when one finally appeared in the schedule, they delivered.
Now, we will see what these Guards are made of when they visit Camden Yards to play a bonafide contender like the Baltimore Orioles.
The rotation is trending up, the offense has been getting some really good games from unexpected contributors such as Gabriel Arias, Kyle Manzardo, and Daniel Schneemann, and the bullpen is still elite despite Emmanuel Clase’s struggles.
NEXT: Guardians Utilityman Has Energized Team With His Play
