The Cleveland Guardians rotation, as a group, is playing like they have a chip on their shoulder. And they do.
People, including fans and even the media, continue to underrate the Guardians’ starting pitchers. By WAR, this group is projected to rank 24th in the league with 10, tied with the Athletics and the Padres. There are 30 teams in MLB, so yes, it feels like an insult.
All they have done in recent days and weeks is dominate, though. Thanks to a simple instruction from pitching coach Carl Willis, who basically told them to go all out, Cleveland starters are getting amazing results.
You could say that they are all in midseason form. And, as always, the stats don’t lie.
“Messick 4 2/3 scoreless innings yesterday (Monday),” Guardians insider Paul Hoynes said on the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “Before him was Cantillo, 4 2/3 innings with 2 earned runs. Then Cecconi 4 innings, 1 earned run. Williams 3 2/3 innings, 1 earned run. And Bibee 4 innings, 0 earned runs.”
Cantillo wasn’t good in his first three Cactus League starts, and that’s why he has a 7.84 ERA. The rest of the projected starters, however, have been excellent: Messick has a 1.93 ERA, Cecconi is at 3.12, Williams at 3.38, and Bibee at 3.00. Even Logan Allen left a 3.60 ERA before leaving for the World Baseball Classic.
These people are pitching with purpose. It’s beyond internal competition: they are playing with inner fire, a burning desire to succeed and take this team to the next level.
“That’s almost midseason form right now, this early in spring training,” insider Joe Noga said. “You don’t want them to be hitting their peak too early. But wow, to have gone through the rotation one time like that and to put up those numbers among the starters.”
Cleveland’s rotation is set to shatter the ridiculously low expectations that the average fan and some members of the media have for them. As long as health is on their side, they should be able to do that.
To think that this group could potentially get the incredibly talented Daniel Espino later in the year is amazing.
These are all young and hungry pitchers with something to prove, and they are fully focused and invested in having an amazing season in 2026.
Don’t look now, but the Guardians could potentially make noise in 2026 with the foundation of such a talented rotation in place.
NEXT: Carl Willis Sends Clear Message To Pitching Staff Ahead Of Season
