Saturday was a very frustrating day for the Cleveland Guardians. It was supposed to be filled with happiness and excitement because of the return of postseason baseball to Progressive Field, but instead, it ended in disappointment as the Chicago White Sox limited the home team to just three hits and no runs in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Outfielder Jo Adell, one of the primary sources of offense for the Guardians since landing in Cleveland at the deadline, was 0-for-4 while wearing the infamous ‘Golden Sombrero’ with four strikeouts. It was a rough day in the office for the slugger.
He was brave enough to face the cameras after the game and urged his teammates to try it again ahead of Game 2 on Monday.
“Can’t bring up stuff from previous games.” Joe Adell and the Guardians are ready to turn the page and move on to Monday’s Game 2,” Cleveland Guardians Baseball, representing Cleveland.com, wrote, with some of Adell’s words.
“Can’t bring up stuff from previous games.” Joe Adell and the Guardians are ready to turn the page and move on to Monday’s Game 2.#Guardsball pic.twitter.com/Rmt8BvLtEM
— Cleveland Guardians Baseball (@GuardiansTalk) October 3, 2026
If the Guardians go out there on Monday still thinking about what happened on Saturday, they risk facing a similar fate. They can’t let their bad game get in their minds, not when they showed a much-improved offense in the second half and for much of the stretch run.
The White Sox, using an unorthodox pitching staff in which starting pitchers rarely reach the fifth frame, completely stymied Cleveland in the AL Division Series opener. That, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will happen again on Monday.
The Guardians should go one game at a time against Chicago. Every inning counts, and the same can be said about every at-bat and even every pitch. Everything they do from now on has to serve one purpose: putting them a step closer to winning a ballgame.
At this point, the Guardians should be focusing exclusively on Game 2, and not on what’s beyond that point. If they fall 0-2 in the series, it will be an uphill battle to come back.
All eyes will be on what happens at Progressive Field on Monday at 5:00 pm ET.
NEXT: Guardians Offense Fails To Show Up As White Sox Take Series Lead
