The Cleveland Guardians haven’t had a positive spring training if Cactus League standings were the only element used to evaluate it.
Their 2-7 record is the second-worst in the circuit behind the 2-8 Chicago White Sox.
Fortunately, spring training team records do not matter.
For the Guardians and all MLB teams, the spring is all about finding the right players to fill out the roster and giving them the tools to succeed.
In that quest to find the best talent available, Cleveland is sending out what looks to be the Opening Day lineup to the field on Tuesday.
It’s a good day to play in Goodyear.#GuardsSpring pic.twitter.com/wCZGOHaeln
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 4, 2025
The Guardians will play the Los Angeles Angels starting at 3:05 pm ET.
Most fans and analysts will agree that these names look a lot like what manager Stephen Vogt will use on Opening Day.
You can say with confidence that this is the best lineup the Guardians can field against right-handers.
Steven Kwan will lead off, followed by Jose Ramirez.
You can argue that J-Ram’s name is interchangeable between the second and third spots.
With Kyle Manzardo in the third hole and the designated hitter role, Cleveland has a guy who will potentially mash against righties.
First baseman Carlos Santana will be the cleanup hitter, in all likelihood, come March 27 against the Kansas City Royals.
Lane Thomas seems firmly entrenched in the fifth spot vs. righties, and right fielder Will Brennan will follow him.
Catcher Bo Naylor, second baseman Gabriel Arias, and shortstop Brayan Rocchio wrap up the unit.
The only potential differences with the potential Opening Day lineup might be Juan Brito over Arias if the former wins the second base competition, and potentially swapping Ramirez and Manzardo.
Otherwise, Cleveland might just have revealed their batting order for the first game of the regular season.
NEXT: Analyst Predicts Guardians' Opening Day Second Baseman
