The Cleveland Guardians entered the 2025 playoffs with historic momentum but stumbled in their Wild Card Series opener against the Detroit Tigers.
Despite a buzzing Progressive Field crowd, the team struggled to find rhythm in a 1-2 loss that exposed offensive shortcomings.
The defeat left fans uneasy about the series trajectory and raised questions about whether key players could deliver under playoff pressure.
Attention quickly turned to leadoff hitter Steven Kwan, whose recent struggles at the plate have drawn significant scrutiny from analysts and fans alike.
“Guards really need Kwan to snap out of it. He is 2-for-his-last-22 at the plate. They haven’t all been bad at bats, but they really need him as a table-setter up top,” play-by-play announcer Brendan Gulick shared on X.
Guards really need Kwan to snap out of it. He is 2-for-his-last-22 at the plate.
They haven't all been bad at bats, but they really need him as a table-setter up top.
— Brendan Gulick (@brendangulick22) September 30, 2025
The table-setter has been unable to provide the spark Cleveland needs at the top of the lineup.
Kwan has been a standout catalyst all season, particularly with his bunting ability and knack for disrupting pitchers on the bases.
His recent offensive struggles have become more noticeable, raising concerns about his performance in high-pressure postseason situations.
The Guardians need consistent production from their leadoff spot to force a decisive Game 3 and advance further.
Beyond Kwan, defensive miscues in Game 1 allowed Detroit to score unearned runs despite strong pitching from starter Gavin Williams.
This combination of offensive stagnation and defensive lapses requires immediate correction to avoid an early exit.
Heading into Game 2, the focus shifts to Kwan and the lineup responding quickly.
The pressing question remains whether the Guardians can rediscover their September form or if Detroit maintains control of the series.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Reveals Honest Thoughts On Loss To Tigers
