In baseball, the objective is to score more runs than the opponent.
For the most part, the Cleveland Guardians do a commendable job preventing their foes from scoring with pitching and defense, even if the latter has been inconsistent in recent games.
The big problem for the 2025 Guardians is that they don’t score enough.
To cross the plate, a lineup needs contact, power and on-base ability.
Patience and good pitch selection lead to walks, and those create run-scoring opportunities.
According to reporter Tom Withers, however, the Guardians make too many outs.
For obvious reasons, that development is detrimental to run-scoring chances.
Withers explains that trading Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez, plus David Fry’s offseason surgery, are affecting the team.
With only Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan as reliable offensive performers, it’s been an uphill battle for Cleveland.
“The combined effects of Naylor and Gimenez’s departures, coupled with Fry’s injury, have gutted the lineup. Other than Kwan and the extraordinary Ramirez, too many easy outs. On a positive note, the starting pitching has so much promise, and the bullpen is solid. Gotta score,” Withers posted on X.
The combined effects of Naylor and Gimenez's departures coupled with Fry's injury has gutted the lineup.
Other than Kwan and the extraordinary Ramirez, too many easy outs.
On a positive note, the starting pitching has so much promise and the bullpen is solid.
Gotta score.
— Tom Withers (@twithersCLE) July 2, 2025
Entering Wednesday, the Guardians ranked 26th among 30 MLB teams with a .297 OBP.
They just can’t get on base consistently, and coupled with a .364 slugging percentage (third-worst in MLB), it equals a really bad situation to consistently score more than the opposition.
Cleveland is 26th in baseball in runs scored, and it’s easy to see why.
Two hitters can’t carry an entire lineup, no matter how good they are.
NEXT: Guardians' Top Outfield Prospect Just Can't Stop Hitting
