The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen might not be as good as last year, but it’s a solid unit that can lock down close games when at its best.
The rotation has been inconsistent, but with Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Slade Cecconi all sporting an ERA below 4.00, and Luis Ortiz and Logan Allen a little above that mark, the group has been passable, and it will get a boost when Shane Bieber returns.
Evidently, something is lacking, because the Guardians wouldn’t be 40-42 if that weren’t the case.
The offense is a big problem, and former Guardians pitcher Jensen Lewis named it the organization’s biggest need right now.
“The easy answer is offense … you certainly want to be able to go toe to toe with the [Detroit] Tigers, [New York] Yankees and [Houston] Astros,” Lewis said, via the “BIGPLAY Cleveland Show.”
What's the Guardians biggest need? #GuardsBall
"The easy answer is offense… you certainly want to be able to go toe to toe with the Tigers, Yankees, and Astros."
Full segment in FREE @BIGPLAY app on demand here: https://t.co/bSie9jqvUn pic.twitter.com/uhL0OXqNcA
— BIGPLAY Cleveland Show (@BIGPLAYCLEshow) June 30, 2025
The Guardians rank 26th in runs scored, among 30 MLB teams.
In June, they are dead last.
The Guardians, if they want to compete with the best in the American League, need bats, as Lewis pointed out in his analysis of the situation.
Jose Ramirez is an underrated superstar, and Steven Kwan is a fine leadoff hitter.
Other than those two, there is no consistency from anyone else.
Carlos Santana seems to have cooled off, Kyle Manzardo is powerful but unreliable, and Gabriel Arias is injured.
The offense is unreliable and will need at least a couple of additions to compete with the elite.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Offers Possible Solution To Fit 2 Top Prospects
