Baseball is back and the Guardians came out of the gate swinging…literally. They opened the season on the road in Oakland. Shane Bieber was on the mound in the opener for the fifth consecutive year. Cleveland’s ace got the win going six innings without giving up a run while fanning eleven batters. Bieber had run support in the 8-0 win.
Hard to look much better than Shane Bieber looked last night.
Shane is tied for the 2nd most Opening Day starts with 10 or more strikeouts, trailing only Randy Johnson.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/96wEteJ9of
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 29, 2024
The bats continued to be hot during the four-game series. The squad combined for a total of 29 runs throughout the series. 26 of these runs came in the first three games which tied for the 2nd-most runs recorded by Cleveland through three games to begin a season. This marks the first time the club has accomplished this feat since 1977.
Gloat for Vogt
New skipper Stephen Vogt became the second manager in franchise history to start the season with a 3-0 record after Saturday’s 12-3 win. Vogt making his managerial debut in Oakland was special for him as he spent six seasons there. He explained his thoughts to the media prior to game one saying, “Honestly, I don’t really know how to feel. It’s one of those thing I don’t know I don’t know yet, but I just couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the Cleveland organization. It’s such a great place with good people. We have a great team. To be starting in Oakland, for me, is very very special.”
Cade Smith made his major league debut on Saturday, and it was a beauty. The rookie pitched two scoreless innings collecting five strikeouts. Smith set a club record for the most strikeouts in a debut with two or fewer innings pitched.
The team is being aggressive at the plate and on the base paths swiping eight bags thus far. Other notable moments of the series were some flashing of the leather by Cleveland’s infield.
Brayan Rocchio made an elite play at shortstop in the opener.
Certified Glover Boy.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/nEGR3SOMWK
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 30, 2024
Andres Gimenez showed why he has one of the best gloves in the game robbing Nick Allen of a hit.
Should we just give him another Platinum Glove now, @RawlingsSports?#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/ehT5uNi0vw
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 30, 2024
The Guardians lost Sunday’s game putting them at 3-1 on the season. They’ll travel to Seattle to face the Mariners on Monday.
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