The Cleveland Guardians aren’t playing their best ball at the moment.
They have dropped nine of their last 14 games and four of their last five entering play on Tuesday.
Naturally, fans are pointing fingers left and right as the team, at 34-31 before the conclusion of Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, is dangerously approaching .500 territory.
In that quest, many of them have blamed Stephen Vogt, the manager, for sticking with struggling players and not moving the pieces they thought needed to be moved in recent games.
MLB analyst and former Guardians pitcher Jensen Lewis, however, defended the skipper and said he doesn’t have a lot to work with.
“Jensen Lewis says Stephen Vogt doesn’t deserve all the blame. “He doesn’t have a lot to work with… It probably gets worse before it gets better,” BIGPLAY Cleveland Show posted on X.
Jensen Lewis says Stephen Vogt doesn't deserve all the blame.
"He doesn't have a lot to work with… It probably gets worse before it gets better."
–@JLEWFifty weighs in on these Guardians struggles
Presented by @nefdirect https://t.co/hE2TsKlAkm pic.twitter.com/qILCGoUDFe
— BIGPLAY Cleveland Show (@BIGPLAYCLEshow) June 10, 2025
Vogt is the reigning AL Manager of the Year.
He didn’t suddenly forget everything about the game, his players, and how to win games.
The truth is that the Guardians’ offense is a problem beyond Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, and Carlos Santana.
The truth is that the rotation has been inconsistent, and the bullpen hasn’t been as sharp as it was last year.
There is still time for the Guardians to right the ship, but they may need help from outside the organization via trade, and they need their young players to take a leap.
Yes, Vogt has made some mistakes, but he is not the primary culprit for Cleveland’s recent struggles.
Everybody, from the owner to the last bench player, shares the blame.
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