Cleveland Sports Forum

The right moves. Can't disagree. No time like the present to promote Schneemann. He's hot.

Could Tena be next?

Gotta like all the tinkering to put the best team on the field. I like it...a LOT.

No time for complacency.

The bottom 5 in the order just must do a better job. They have been atrocious. Keep tinkering until they get it right.

The top 4, aggressive baseball and the relief corps have kept us afloat.

The Royals have been a real surprise as has been the Guardians. KC has the pitching.

I like the proposed deal for Miami's Luzardo for all the reasons stated in the article.

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Schneemann's 2-run double plates the only Guardian runs of the game.

CONDENSED GAME

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... nsed-games

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Next:

The Guardians are off Monday before opening a three-game series against Kansas City on Tuesday at Progressive Field.
Right-hander Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.77) will start for Cleveland.
The Royals send righty Seth Lugo (9-1, 1.72) to the mound.
Don't like this matchup.

Glad this series is at home. At least we have home field advantage.
This is not going to be an easy series to win.
Royals have the starting pitcher advantage
Guardians have the bullpen advantage.
Guardians have to try and get to the bullpen early.
Guardians have a slight advantage as far as the lineup goes.
Royals picked up game now 4 out.
Twins picked up a game now 6 out.
Huge series for both teams.
KC trying to cut into that Guardian lead,
Guardians trying to put more daylight the Royals and Twins.
Detroit picked up a game to move to 10 out.
White Sox hopelessly 24 GB.
Unbelievably won 4 of the 6 games played against each other.
Losing the series to Colorado was ugly.
Starters have to be stronger through 6 innings to have any chance of getting to the Royals.

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Schneemann delivers 1st hit, RBIs in debut after 'long road' to Majors

By Mandy Bell @MandyBell02

27 minutes ago

CLEVELAND -- Allie Schneemann stood behind section 156 at Progressive Field on Sunday, reminiscing on a conversation she had with her now-husband, Daniel Schneemann, when they first met in college.

“I asked him what he wanted to study and he was like, ‘I’m just studying baseball. I just want to make it to the bigs,’” Allie said. “And I was like, ‘Well, what’s your backup plan?’ and he said, ‘I don’t have a backup plan. I’m just going all-in.’”

The first step to making this a reality came in 2018 for Daniel, when he was selected in the 33rd round (No. 1,003 overall) in the MLB Draft out of BYU. But six seasons came and went without that dream coming to fruition. That was, until Sunday, when he made his big league debut in the Guardians' 5-2 loss to the Nationals.

“It’s definitely a day I won’t forget,” Schneemann said. “It’s a day I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”

Schneemann has been dreaming about this moment for so long that he hardly remembers when the obsession first started. After having success in high school and college, Schneemann’s first taste of professional ball resulted in a .196 average and a .628 OPS in 43 Minor League games in ‘18.

His numbers went up in ‘19, but after a canceled season in ‘20, his performance dipped in ‘21 and ‘22. But after he started to show signs of trending back in the right direction in ‘23, he made some swing changes to be even better in ‘24.

Schneemann decided to focus on lifting the ball more this winter, which has resulted in a noticeable change in power and pop. His 10 homers in Triple-A were the second most by any of Cleveland’s Minor League players, so it was no surprise when he finally got his chance to play in the big leagues on Sunday.

“It’s definitely been a long road,” Allie said. “Six years in the Minors, grinding it out, traveling and being away. … So it’s definitely been tough, but being here makes it all worth it.”

The Nationals had just scored four runs in the top of the second inning. The Guardians were trying to answer back right away. With runners on second and third, it was Schneemann’s turn to step in the batter’s box.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1797366782535032967

“I definitely had some nerves,” Schneemann said. “Just trying to keep the same approach that’s given me success this year.”

On the first pitch he saw from Nationals starter Jake Irvin, Schneemann laced a double into the right-field corner to score both runs.

https://www.mlb.com/video/daniel-schnee ... st-popular

“It was super overwhelming,” Allie said. “I was holding our daughter, so I got pretty emotional, but it's super awesome to see all of his hard work pay off.”

As Schneemann rounded first base, Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan emerged from the dugout and was jumping up and down with his hand above his head, celebrating as if he was part of the Schneemann family.

“You’re always excited for somebody when they get their first hit,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “And you pile on the top a late-round pick, 27 years old and had to really work and earn every single bit of it and then to see him get his first hit on his first pitch, we were all jumping around like kids because we care for each other.”

Schneemann batted again in the fifth and this time sent the fourth pitch of the at-bat to deep center field. Although it was caught, it exploded off his bat at 107.1 mph. As he trotted back toward his dugout, the fans in the stands gave him a loud ovation.

“That was cool. I wasn’t really expecting that,” Schneemann said. “Running in, I got the chills.”




The only two runs the Guardians managed to score came from Schneemann’s bat. Cleveland’s nine-game winning streak at home came to an end. But for the Schneemann family, this was a win.

His parents, siblings, in-laws, daughter and wife filled the seats behind home plate. It was a surreal moment that all of them had been dreaming of experiencing. It was impossible not to reminisce on where he had come from. For Allie, she knew from one of the first conversations she had with her husband that he’d one day reach the big leagues. There was no need for a backup plan. Maybe it took a little longer than expected, but Sunday was worth the wait.

“If you have a goal,” Schneemann said, “I think if you just work hard enough, you can achieve it.”

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I remember the kouzmanoff grand slam. That was fun. And portended his career as a multi-year all star.
Or maybe it means first AB doesn't mean anything

But it's nice for a 27 year old rookie

The bottom 5 in the order just must do a better job. They have been atrocious

With Kwan back the top 6 are now most days going to be
Kwan
Freeman
Ramirez
Naylor
Fry
Giminez

That only leaves 3 to complain about.
And Manzardo is coming along
And Brennan is OK, certainly not "atrocious"

I'm not sold on Freeman as a hitter but he get an A+ for effort.

Guardians, Royals meet for first time this season: Who’s better?

Updated: Jun. 03, 2024, 9:40 p.m.|Published: Jun. 03, 2024, 5:38 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Finally.

The Guardians have already played 59 games. The Royals have played 61. It’s well past the time for the top two teams in the American League Central to meet.

It happens Tuesday night at Progressive Field in the start of a three-game series. The Guardians hold a four-game lead over the Royals, who have been snapping at Cleveland’s heels for the first two months of the season.

How close has this race been?

While the Guardians were winning nine straight games from May 17 through May 26, the Royals were winning eight straight, never more than 2 1/2 games off the pace.

The Royals stubbed their toe recently, losing three out of four to the Twins and two out of three to the Padres over the weekend. But the Guards have cooled as well, going 3-3 over their last six games against the Rockies and Nationals.

The real season, however, has yet to reveal itself no matter how the next three games go. The Guardians and Royals will still have 10 games against each other, including four at the end June at Kauffman Stadium.

The Guardians have gone 19-13 against the Royals over the last two series. The Royals, however, delivered a calling card last September by sweeping the last series between the teams in September at Kauffman Stadium. Cleveland still won the season series, 7-6, but the Royals’ young position players made an impression despite their 106-loss season.

Over the winter the Guardians stood mostly pat, while hiring Stephen Vogt to replace outgoing manager Terry Francona. The Royals, meanwhile, went to work to improve their ballclub.

They signed pitchers Will Smith, Chris Stratton, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. They added position players Hunter Renfroe and Adam Frazier. During last season, they acquired left-hander Cole Ragans and outfielder Nelson Velazquez.

Not only did the Royals spent over $100 million on free agents, they also signed shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., one of the top players in the game, to a 14-year extension worth $377 million.

So who has the edge between the Guardians (39-20) and Royals (36-25)?

Check out these five categories to see if you can decide:

1. Offense

The Guardians are hitting just .238 as a team, but they rank second in the AL with 298 runs. They rank fourth with 98 doubles, seventh with 64 homers and have a +78 run differential.
The Royals rank third in the AL with a .252 batting average and third with 297 runs. They lead the AL with 108 doubles and 14 triples. They rank 11th with 61 homers and have a +74 run differential.

2. In the clutch

The Guardians rank second in the AL with a .299 (139 for 465) batting average with runners in scoring position.
The Royals rank first in the AL with a .309 (155 for 502) batting average with runners in scoring position.

3. Starting rotation

The Guardians’ rotation, based on ERA, ranks ninth in the AL at 21-15 with a 4.24 ERA.
The Royals’ rotation, based on ERA, ranks second in the AL at 25-16 with a 3.10 ERA.

4. Bullpen

The Guardians’ bullpen, based on ERA, ranked first in the AL at 18-5 with a 2.42 ERA. It ranked second in saves with 21 in 30 chances.
The Royals’ bullpen, based on ERA, ranked 12th in the AL at 11-9 with a 4.44 ERA. It ranked sixth in saves with 17 in 26 chances.

5. Streaks and miscellaneous

The Guardians have won seven of their last 10 games. They are 14-7 against teams with winning records and are 20-7 at home.
The Royals are 12-8 in their last 20 games. They are 14-15 on the road and 8-14 against teams with winning records.

Here are three players from each team who could make a different in the series.

Guardians

Jose Ramirez: He found his MVP form in May when he hit .295 (31 for 105) with 11 homers and 33 RBI. The engine that makes the Guards go hit .326 (15 for 46) with four homers and 11 RBI against the Royals last year. In his career, he has 28 homers and 92 RBI against KC.

David Fry: He does a little bit of everything for the Guards. He’s hitting .424 (28 for 66) in his last 12 games. For the season, he’s hitting .417 (20 for 48) against lefties.

Bo Naylor: Last season Naylor hit .458 (11 for 24) with four homers and 10 RBI against the Royals. This season he has yet to get untracked at the plate, hitting .173 (23 for 133).

Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.: He’s hitting .313 (76 for 243) with 16 doubles, six triples, nine homers, 42 RBI and 17 steals in 24 chances. The Guards held him in check last season (.245, one homer, three RBI).

Salvador Perez: The ageless Perez is hitting .315 (68 for 216) with 10 homers, 41 RBI and a .900 OPS. He’s hit 19 homers with 70 RBI in 142 games against Cleveland.

Seth Lugo: He’ll open the series on Tuesday night against the Guards. He’s 9-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 12 starts this year. He’s never faced the Guardians in his career.

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Guardians score three unearned runs in seventh inning to beat Royals, 8-5

Updated: Jun. 04, 2024, 9:53 p.m.|Published: Jun. 04, 2024, 9:07 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bobby Witt Jr. brought the Guardians to their knees Tuesday night with 888 feet worth of home runs. Then he allowed them to rise by committing a ghastly three-run error that cost the Royals a chance to move a game closer to first place in the AL Central.

In the seventh inning with the score tied, 5-5, and the bases loaded, David Fry sent a two-out grounder to Witt at shortstop. He threw wildly past first and into the photographer’s pit as Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor scored to give the Guardians a 8-5 victory and a five-game lead in the division.

The three-run error capped a five-run inning by the Guardians. Before the error, the big hit of the inning was Tyler Freeman’s two-run homer off Kansas City ace Seth Lugo to tie the score 5-5.

The Royals came to Cleveland set on making a point. They did.

The problem was the Guardians made a bigger one.

Witt hit two homers and Hunter Renfroe hit one off Triston McKenzie to give Kansas City a 5-0 lead headed into the bottom of the fourth inning.

McKenzie opened the game with two quiet innings before the pounding began. Renfroe started the third with a homer to right for a 1-0 lead.

After Garrett Hampson went down on a fly ball to center, Maikel Garcia singled. Witt followed Garcia and unloaded on a 0-1, 76 mph curve. He hit it 434 feet into the bleachers in left center field for a 3-0 lead.

McKenzie was forced to face five more batters — the Royals sent 10 men to the plate — before he recorded the required three outs. By that time he’d thrown 50 pitches.

Witt struck again in the fourth, this time with two out following another single by Garcia. In the third, he hit McKenzie’s curve into parts unknown. He tried a different part of the menu in the fourth, hammering a 91 mph fastball 454 feet into the bleachers in left center field for a 5-0 lead.

It gave Witt 11 homers and 46 RBI for the season. It was the third time he’s hit two or more homers in a game this season.

Lugo, who came into the game at 9-1 with a 1.72 ERA, allowed a season-high five runs. However, he started the game with nine straight outs before the Guardians responded.

Kwan opened the fourth with a double off the wall in right for Cleveland’s first hit. He moved to third on Andres Gimenez’s ground out and scored on Ramirez’s full-count single to left to make it 5-1.

Josh Naylor, in a 18 for 105 skid, returned some of the Royals’ thunder with a two-out homer into the bleachers in left center field to make it 5-3. It was Naylor’s 16th homer and gave him nine RBI in the last six games.

The Guardians were back in the game, but they missed a great chance to take control of it in the fifth.

They loaded the bases against Lugo on Will Brennan’s leadoff single, Daniel Schneeman’s one-out walk and Kwan’s hit by pitch. They had two outs to work with and the best best part of the lineup was scheduled to hit.

But Lugo struck out Gimenez and Ramirez to end the threat.

The Guards did not miss their second chance.

Lugo started the seventh, but Brennan greeted him with his second straight leadoff single. Freeman, hitting in the eighth spot, made it 5-5 with a two-run homer into the bleachers in left. It was Freeman’s fifth homer and second since May 10.

Schneeman reached on a bloop single after Sam Long (0-1) relieved Lugo. Kwan hit into a force play and Gimenez struck out. But Ramirez and Naylor walked before Fry sent the fateful grounder to short.

McKenzie allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three homers among the eight hits, but struck out seven. He’s allowed 14 homers for the season, including nine in his last four starts

Lugo allowed five runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 23 chances. Cade Smith (3-0), who relieved McKenzie, earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of relief.

It was Clase’s 129th save with the Guardians, moving him into a tie for third place in franchise history with Doug Jones.

Next:

After Tuesday night’s game, the Guardians announced that reliever RHP Nick Sandlin (4-0, 2.77) will make his first big-league start. The Royals will start RHP Brady Singer (4-2, 2.63). Game time is 6:40 p.m. with Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.


CONDENSED GAME

https://www.mlb.com/video/condensed-gam ... nsed-games


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What a big win this early in the season!
The Guards stole one against one of the top pitchers in the league at this point.
Now take advantage of the situation and don't give it up tomorrow.
The Guards keep coming up with the clutch hits when they need them.
That's been pretty much the theme of the season so far.
Read where Vogt might skip Logan Allen and go with Bibee Wednesday.
Not written in stone, but it may not be such a bad idea.
I keep saying 5 games ahead at the all-star break gives you a good chance of winning the division.
So, keep building on that lead.
The Royals fall 5 back. I'd like to keep it that way.
The Twins also lost and dropped 7 games off the pace

Don't get over-excited; it is only June. But it's nice to see them once again rally and survive inadequate starting pitching.

I guess the Bobby Witt score was 4 for KC, 3 for CLE, but that worked out OK for us.
Freeman for a "singles hitter" is doing OK with 5 homers in not much more than 1/3 of the season
Josh's average keeps dropping but his HR and RBI totals remain near the league lead
Bullpen remains unimaginably effective.

Vogt is trying a bullpen game today, or maybe it's more of an Opener and LongReliever approach.

Sandlin will start with Allen likely to enter no later than the 3rd inning. RH can't hit Sandlin. But Allen can't get them out. We will see how that works out.

For anyone who's eager for Gavin Williams to return, which is probably all of his, he pitched last night for Columbus. 2 excellent innings. Not so great in the 3rd. Most important is he moved up to 46 pitches

Trying Schneemann in CF today

well they were going to, but the game is postponed until end of August