News and Notes for Saturday, April 5th, 2025
Jose Ramirez hits three home runs last night and put the Guardians on his back to carry them to an 8-6 win over the Angels, breaking a three-game losing streak.
The non-Clase bullpen arms provided five scoreless innings, Gabriel Arias had a great game with a single and two walks, and Brayan Rocchio was 2 for 3 with two singles.
I do see some emerging concerns:
-Bo Naylor’s improved Spring Training approach hasn’t translated to games, but as a slow starter, this doesn’t particularly concern me. What does concern me is calling for first-pitch fastballs to the first 11 Angels’ hitters. I am not sure why Naylor seems to struggle with pitch-calling with a coaching team of catchers and Austin Hedges to guide him, but Williams has good secondary stuff and hitters are just sitting on his fastball. Naylor has to improve at game-calling.
-Rocchio with another TOOTBLAN. Folks, someone has to tell this kid that he needs to adopt an opportunistic approach on the bases and stop viewing himself as a speedster/base stealer. He, unequivocally, is not.
-Clase gave up a home run and a double to go with the usual bloop single. Not ideal. Not sure what’s going on there.
-Jose Ramirez made an error for his third straight game. Likely a small sample size, but a tad concerning.
If you’re gonna make an error, hitting three homers in the same game is the best way to compensate. And, that’s who Jose is – a player who brings us joy every day he takes the field.
The Guardians are ready to show off the stadium improvements at Progressive Field.
Around MLB:
The Royals beat the Orioles and the Tigers beat the White Sox
The Dodgers lost, hallelujah!