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With Winning Streak Over, Guardians Look to Rebound vs. Rockies
It’s late May, and the Cleveland Guardians are showing signs of being a team with October ambitions. Their spirits are still high despite their nine-game winning streak coming to an end with an 8-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Monday. Even with this hiccup, the Guardians hold the second-best record in the American League.
They’ll look to get back on track in the second game of their three-game series against Colorado on Tuesday night. The matchup features Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.44 ERA) against Colorado’s Ryan Feltner (1-4, 5.07 ERA), two right-handers eager to lead their teams to victory.
Guardians’ Streak and Season Highlights
The Guardians’ recent nine-game winning streak was their longest since they set an AL record with a 22-game run nearly seven years ago. This success has been fueled by a combination of stellar pitching and a powerful offense that has scored 269 runs this season, the highest in the AL.
Manager Stephen Vogt credits this success to the team’s consistent approach. “This group has been the same from day one of spring training until now, whether we had a tough three-game stretch or during this run right now,” Vogt said. “We’ve been the same people. The work hasn’t slowed down, the effort, nothing. Everybody’s excited to get to the ballpark. This group believes, and that’s what I’m learning through this good stretch right now. There’s a true belief we can do this.”
Resilience in Defeat
Even in their loss on Monday, the Guardians demonstrated their resilience, rallying to bring the tying run to the plate in the final innings. “We’ve got our two best hitters up to be the tying runs, even in our first loss,” Vogt noted. “It was a really fun nine-day stretch, and we hope to start another one on Tuesday.”
Key Players to Watch
- Triston McKenzie: McKenzie will be crucial for the Guardians. He holds a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA in his only start against Colorado, which came two years ago in Denver, where he allowed just one run on seven hits over six innings.
- Ryan Feltner: Feltner aims to build on his recent form after pitching six shutout innings against Oakland last Thursday, despite not earning a win due to a late rally by the A’s. He has a strong track record against the Guardians, boasting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA in one start, having given up just one unearned run in six innings last season.
Rockies’ Recent Performance
The Rockies have been on a roll themselves, winning 11 of their past 17 games after a dismal 8-28 start to the season. Monday’s victory showcased their potential when all elements of their game – starting pitching, relief pitching, defense, and timely hitting – come together. “Baseball’s one of those things where there’s different parts — starting pitching, relief pitching, defense, timely hitting,” said Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who contributed significantly with a home run, two doubles, and four RBIs in Monday’s win. “When the Rockies are good and we do all those things together, we can beat good teams.”
Looking Ahead
Feltner will try to maintain this positive momentum for the Rockies on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Guardians will rely on McKenzie’s past success against Colorado and their overall strong performance this season to regain their winning ways.
Conclusion
As the Cleveland Guardians aim to bounce back from their recent loss, they continue to demonstrate the qualities of a team poised for a deep playoff run. With consistent effort, a balanced roster, and a strong belief in their abilities, they look to turn the page and start a new winning streak against the Colorado Rockies.
