Albert Belle Knows Exactly What Guardians Need To Change

After the Cleveland Guardians managed just three hits and left the bases loaded twice in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS, there are plenty of opinions on what they need to do differently. One observation is coming from one of the greatest hitters in franchise history.

Albert Belle knows what playoff pressure is like, having reached the World Series with Cleveland in 1995. Based on some recent comments, he believes the game has changed too much since his playing days, with an overabundance of information being given to hitters.

So, with the Guardians entering Game 2 on Monday, Belle said he knows exactly what they need to change, and they should start swinging at hittable pitches instead of working the count.

“What’s wrong with swinging at a strike? If you’re focused on throwing 100 mph, you are not going to be able to hit the corners all the time. You’re gonna be serving up meatballs, and I just don’t understand how they just stand there and watch,” Belle said.

The legendary Albert Belle has a LOT of thoughts on the Guardians approach at the plate as hitters…. pic.twitter.com/hELXMy6015

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 5, 2026

Belle’s idea may have some merit, as the loss on Saturday was the 17th time Cleveland has been shut out this season. He also blamed the long layoff between games, with the Guardians not having played since Sunday.

But after making six straight outs to start Game 1, they did create opportunities, loading the bases twice. In the third inning, the Guardians worked out three straight walks with two outs, bringing Chase DeLauter to the plate. After a pitching change, he faced a 2-0 count before fouling off two fastballs, and with a full count, he lined out to left field.

In the fourth inning, two two-out walks sandwiched a double by Travis Bazzana, bringing Brayan Rocchio to the plate. Arguably Cleveland’s best clutch hitter all season, Rocchio lined out to right field on a 2-1 pitch.

With Chicago holding a 2-0 lead, Cleveland’s Nathaniel Lowe doubled with two outs in the sixth. But Bazzana grounded out to first on an 0-1 pitch, and the Guardians went quietly from there, ending the game with three strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth.

They cannot afford a similar performance in Game 2, as another loss would put them on the brink of elimination with Game 3 of the best-of-5 series set for Chicago on Wednesday.