The Cleveland Guardians continue to be the class of the American League, as they sit at a league-leading 19-8 after a thrilling 4-2 victory over the best team in the National League, the Atlanta Braves.
Tanner Bibee and Charlie Mortin matched each other with seven scoreless innings each, and after each team put up two runs in the eighth inning, the Guardians put the game away with two more in the top of the 11th inning, highlighted by Josh Naylor’s RBI double.
After the game, Naylor said “it’s a blessing…it’s a gift” in reference to the pressure of being in those big moments, which he found himself in during extra innings following an intentional walk to Jose Ramirez.
"It's a blessing…It's a gift."
Josh Naylor wants all the pressure. 😤#ForTheLand | @CleGuardians | @DreKnottpic.twitter.com/qiRPBrMSOF
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 28, 2024
Naylor has gotten off to a fantastic start with a .931 OPS and ten walks to just 12 strikeouts, as he has arguably been the team’s most valuable player up to this point.
Jose Ramirez has gotten hot in the past couple of weeks and Steven Kwan has been cooking in the leadoff spot, but other than that the offense hasn’t been strong outside of Naylor.
The Guardians split the first two games of the series with the Braves in what fans hope is a possible World Series preview.
Cleveland is now 11-4 on the road as well, and after finishing the series with Atlanta, the Guardians will stay on the road and head to Houston for a 3-game series with the Astros.
The Guardians are staying hot and Josh Naylor wants all the smoke this year.
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