Jo Adell is getting red hot at just the right time, as the Cleveland Guardians are about to face the outfielder’s former team. The power hitter is having his best stretch since arriving at the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3.
The Los Angeles Angels had an off day then, so Adell was not with his teammates when he learned he would be moving on. After playing his entire seven-year career for them, it had to be difficult, as he had built relationships throughout the organization.
Now, with the Guardians set to open a three-game series in Anaheim, Adell said he is looking forward to the matchup, as it will give him the first chance to catch up with some friends.
“When I got traded, I didn’t get to see a lot of the guys because it was an off day. It will be cool to see some extra faces that I missed. I want to wish everybody the best. At the end of the day, the game is a business and we’re all striving to be the best we can and be in a situation that works for us,” Adell said.
Adell was acquired by the Guardians to add a long-sought right-handed power hitter to the lineup. That formula is starting to pay off handsomely, as he just had six hits with six RBIs in a three-game series sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
He also had six RBIs in one recent game against the San Francisco Giants. Adell fouled a ball off his leg in the second inning but was able to finish it before sitting out the next day.
With nine hits in his past five appearances, Adell has a slash line of .258/.329/.532 in 17 games with Cleveland. He has four home runs, and his 17 RBIs are one of the best performances by a player in his debut with the franchise in more than a decade.
Adell went from one of the worst teams in the American League to one that is in playoff contention. With five wins in their past six games, the Guardians are back in second place in the AL Central, 3.5 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox, and are tied with the Texas Rangers for the final AL Wild Card.
Now, Adell will try to help that cause by continuing his recent hot streak against his former team, which knows full well what he is capable of when he is in this kind of groove.
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