The Cleveland Guardians got plenty of surprise performances in 2022 en route to reaching the ALDS.
However, the success of the pitching staff was no surprise, given the constant organizational success of that unit.
Shane Bieber led the way with 200 innings, while both Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill stepped up as future aces.
Yet for some reason, a pair couldn’t crack a recent top 10 list shared by MLB.com.
Which pair are you taking? pic.twitter.com/ORP7VqYOEt
— MLB (@MLB) December 10, 2022
This did not sit well with plenty of oGuardians fans.
An Offseason Snub
Bieber is a former Cy Young winner who finished 2022 with a 2.88 ERA and 198 strikeouts.
McKenzie was right there with him, finishing with a 2.96 ERA and 190 strikeouts.
It is easy to go through each duo on the list and say where Bieber and McKenzie/Quantrill should slot in.
But leave it to Guardians fans to just rip it entirely.
There isn’t one team in the league that’s taking Yu Darvish and Blake Snell over Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie https://t.co/LdyGAVUhKQ
— Zach (@PhenoMVP) December 10, 2022
Bieber’s name was even trending once this list came out, as fans were left annoyed for the latest snub against the young, exciting team.
*Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie have entered the chat https://t.co/PZXeGQ0tLT
— Nick Kerver (@kerv1198) December 10, 2022
Is Clayton Kershaw, at this point in his career, really part of one of the best pitching duos in baseball?
Lists like these get fans all over the MLB world worked up, but it’s nothing new to fans in Cleveland.
However, it is fair to note that both McKenzie and Quantrill need some consistent success to reach the level of Bieber and others on this list.
A great year for both, or even just one, in 2023 means the Cleveland rotation will take that jump to levels seen in recent years.
For now, they will continue to fly under the radar as they grow their respective reputations.
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