The Cleveland Guardians have won more games in May than any team in the American League. In addition, they are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies from the National League for the most wins in the majors this month.
The Guardians were able to avoid a sweep by the Washington Nationals by winning the series finale on Wednesday. Cleveland hasn’t been swept in 28 consecutive series, dating back to last season, which is the longest active streak in the majors.
Now, it will welcome the Boston Red Sox into Progressive Field for a three-game weekend set, and the Guardians are riding something special into this showdown, with several hitters currently at the top of their games.
“Guardians went 2-4 against Boston last year. Cleveland leads, 1,060-1,005, overall. They’ve won seven of their last 10 games, avoiding a three-game sweep by the Nationals with a 3-2 win Wednesday. They’re 17-9 in May. Rookie Travis Bazzana is hitting .385 (20 for 52) in his last 13 games. Brayan Rocchio leads the team with a .298 batting average, Angel Martinez leads with nine homers and Chase DeLauter leads with 31 RBIs,” Paul Hoynes wrote.
Cleveland had a recent stretch of 10 wins in 11 games and built a lead over the second-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. That coincided with a breakthrough performance from Bazzana, who has been among the best second basemen in the majors since making his debut on April 28.
He has emerged as a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate along with DeLauter, who made his MLB regular-season debut with two home runs on Opening Day. Though his power numbers have dropped off, the outfielder has been steady throughout, and he will take a .260 batting average and .780 OPS into this series.
That kind of performance was expected from the organization’s top two prospects. By comparison, no one could have predicted what Rocchio has been giving the Guardians this season. Batting ninth in the order, the shortstop is second on the team behind Bazzana in batting average and OPS (.801), is first with 53 hits, third with 27 RBIs, and has just 23 strikeouts in 178 at-bats.
Meanwhile, Martinez is also having a breakout season with 28 RBIs and a .742 OPS, and he is just two homers shy of his career high. He has played in 53 games after entering this season with an uncertain role.
Slade Cecconi will start the series opener against Boston on Friday, followed by Parker Messick and Tanner Bibee, who is still looking for his first win of the season.
NEXT: New Data Shows Where Travis Bazzana Ranks Among All MLB Second Basemen
