Cleveland was all smiles on Monday.
The team hosted its home opener at Progressive Field against the Chicago White Sox.
Just a couple of hours prior to the sound of “play ball,” the city witnessed a total solar eclipse for the first time in decades.
After that, it was time to play the White Sox.
Cleveland won, 4-0, thanks to 5.2 scoreless innings from Triston McKenzie and a brilliant game from the bullpen.
Chicago’s hapless offense helped matters, too.
The Guardians hadn’t logged a shutout in their home opener since the pandemic season.
“11th Home Opener shutout all-time for Cleveland, 2nd at Progressive Field, first since 2020 (2-0 vs. Kansas City on 7/24/20),” GuardsInsider tweeted.
11th Home Opener shutout all-time for Cleveland, 2nd at Progressive Field, first since 2020 (2-0 vs. Kansas City on 7/24/20)
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) April 8, 2024
The White Sox had no answer for McKenzie, Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, and Emmanuel Clase.
Of course, Jose Ramirez’s two-run home run against former Guardian Bryan Shaw was the highlight of the day for the offense.
Andres Gimenez (2-for-3) and Steven Kwan (3-for-4) also made their respective contributions to the victory.
The Guardians’ sellout crowd got to enjoy their talented squad winning its fifth game in a row.
It was also Cleveland’s eighth victory in ten games: their 8-2 record leads the AL Central and is the second best in the junior circuit behind the New York Yankees (9-2).
The Guardians have beaten lesser teams, such as the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox, but they have also done their job against projected playoff contenders like the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins.
It’s looking like a promising year in Cleveland.
NEXT: Emmanuel Clase Is Already Off To An Elite Start
