Munch Musings from E. 53rd Street and Hamm Avenue on the Cleveland Guardians and a bit more…

The 27-17 Cleveland Guardians are back home for a HUGE 6 game homestand. 3 with the 24-19 Minnesota Twins and yes Central Division match ups are huge plus 3 with the New York Mets as Francisco Lindor comes home. Do I wish Lindor and his 20-23 Mets harm? Absolutely not but good for him that he’s hitting .194.

One former Cleveland Baseball vet I wish good things for is Carlos Santana who will be with the Twins this weekend at Progressive Field. Overall, Carlos is hitting .208 with 7 HR’s and 21 RBI but in the last 10 he’s 11 for 37 with 2 doubles, 3 HR’s and 8 RBI. Minnesota also features one of baseball’s nefarious cheaters in Carlos Correa and I would treasure some chin music aimed his way throughout the series. I’m not a fan of Mgr. Rocco Baldelli either as he oozes entitlement.

Here’s hoping the Guards are still ticked off at themselves from the embarrassing performance they had on the South Side a week ago as they handed a 12-win team (at the time) 3 of those W’s with subpar play. Now they did display passion in taking 2 of 3 from the Rangers and this needs to continue.

I do need to point out how amazing this team has been and think about some concrete facts…not excuses as I am not talking about our NFL team! The Cleveland Guardians are 10 games over .500 with subpar fielding when Brennan (yes he’s a butcher in RF!) and Arias (will he ever learn?) are on the diamond plus with Kwan out the leadoff spot to put it bluntly has been marginal at best. Think about this: the Guards lineup regularly features 4-5 players hitting under .200 and one (Rocchio) at .208 and they are WINNING! Starting pitching has been just “ok” so it must be the pen plus the 2-3-4-5 (when Fry plays) hitters. Speaking of Fry there is NO reason that he is not in the lineup every day. Now why did I not mention the “1” hole above? KWAN is out…need him back in a BIG WAY! BTW no Kwan vs Chisox and the Good Guys lost 3 of 4 to a bad team! Steven Kwan is SO important to this team along with Andres, Jose, and Josh!

I must talk middle infield too. We know that Mr. Gimenez flashes a platinum glove, and we are always hearing about the depth at middle infield in the organization but right now SS is a weakness on this team! Rocchio is hitting .208, Arias .224 but every ball hit to him no matter where he plays is an adventure while Jose Tena slashes at .226/.299/.589 in a hitters park with the Columbus Clippers and every time he throws to first I am not sure if the toss will make it there! BTW another ill-deserved former whipping boy Amed Rosario is hitting .300 for the Rays playing SS/3B/2B and RF and has ONE error this year. ‘Nuf Said!

Quick Cleveland Cavaliers notes…the fellas went with their boots on. Yes they went out on their shields and it was close to impossible to win without Donovan Mitchell. I am disappointed in Jarrett Allen. I know how painful rib injuries can be and it came out that with an injection he could have played. SMH especially too that he sat on the bench emotionless, something national TV pointed out. Dang Bro, cheer your boys on, pass some knowledge. I saw nothing from him. With what went down it will be an interesting off season. Big question marks surround HC JB, DG, and Allen. No question mark with SPIDA…gotta keep him.

One last note on Chiefs PK Harrison Butker and his commencement speech. I do not agree with all he said, and I need to note that I have heard worse from high political offices in this country with less reaction! He is a strict Catholic and has every right to his opinion. Free speech is free speech, and we have the right to disagree which I do with undertones of “barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen” in his words. Still mind numbing to me when the NFL has to speak out about HIS speech when the league normalizes men who abuse women. I’m out.

Read more of my musings and thoughts plus “All Good” narratives at www.neosportsinsiders.com and yes indeed #MunchOnSports is powered by Ganley Chevy Of Aurora and the Ken Ganley Automotive Group.

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Please take care of each other and it’s your world, pay attention. Always enjoy every sandwich and for now ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run.