Rhys Hoskins Explains Why Guardians’ Series Win Meant So Much

Before their weekend series against the Seattle Mariners at home, the Cleveland Guardians had embarked on a nine-game road trip that ended with three series losses and a 3-6 record. They certainly looked like a team missing two of their best hitters, in this case, Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez.

Then the weekend came. A new chance to reset and start building something. And the team took advantage, winning two out of three against the Mariners to take their record to 44-40 and tie the Chicago White Sox at the top of the AL Central.

First baseman Rhys Hoskins certainly did his part in the three games, racking up two hits, including a double, and getting two key RBI. He may not be playing his finest baseball yet, but he is doing his best to help. On the weekend, at least, he did.

“Obviously, that’s a good team in the American League (the Mariners). Too many times in a season, it comes down to one game, so having a tie-break over them, hopefully, is going to mean something in the end. We haven’t played our best baseball of late, so to win a series at home against the good teams, a nice way to start a 10-game homestand,” Hoskins said.

"We haven't played our best baseball of late, so to win a series at home against the good teams, a nice way to start a 10 game homestand," #Guardians Rhys Hoskins agrees with Stephen Vogt on how big a win like Sunday's was #GuardsBall @WEWS https://t.co/V0zHG4z5F3 pic.twitter.com/piBhOlplhA

— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) June 29, 2026

After the Mariners series, the Guardians will play all week, with no days off. They will face the Texas Rangers until Wednesday, and then, on Thursday, they will kick off a huge four-game series vs. the White Sox, with all those games coming at Progressive Field.

Chicago took two of three in their series last week, so Guardians players will look for some revenge. The four-game set will have, additionally, important implications in the AL Central standings. A sweep or a series win would allow Cleveland to get some separation and start putting some ground between them and the Pale Hose.

Chicago has proved a worthy competitor this season, which is a shocking development considering how bad they were in 2024 and 2025. They are now young, talented, and hungry, a dangerous combination for the Guardians.

Before dealing with them, however, Cleveland will have to face the always difficult Rangers. And thanks to their series win this past weekend, they will do it with a huge confidence boost.