Episode 3 Opening Day Win!

 Manzardo’s Heroics, Clase Trade Talk, and a Big Pitching Matchup

In this episode of Guards Ball Podcast, CJ Cox breaks down the Guardians’ thrilling extra-inning win, highlighted by Kyle Manzardo’s career night with a two-run double in the 10th, a homer, and a triple. We also discuss Ben Lively’s clutch performance after Tanner Bibee’s late scratch and Steven Kwan’s consistent contributions. The bullpen looked solid, but concerns about Emmanuel Clase’s struggles continue to grow—could a trade be on the horizon? Plus, we preview tomorrow’s pitching matchup between a healthy and improved Gavin Williams and the dominant Seth Lugo. Tune in for 30 minutes of nonstop Guardians talk!

Transcript

[Intro]
Welcome back to Guards Ball Podcast, where we bring you 30 minutes of nonstop Cleveland Guardians talk twice a week. I’m CJ Cox, and we’ve got a lot to break down after last night’s wild extra-inning win. The Guardians pulled off a thriller, and there’s plenty to unpack—from Kyle Manzardo’s breakout performance to some big questions surrounding Emmanuel Clase. We’ll also preview tomorrow’s pitching matchup, so stick around. Let’s jump right in.

[Segment 1: Manzardo’s Big Night]
Man, Kyle Manzardo was on fire last night. This kid delivered in a huge way, and if this is a sign of things to come, the Guardians may have something special on their hands.
    •    First, he tripled in the 4th, showcasing his power to all fields.
    •    Then, he crushed a two-run homer later in the game to give the Guards a spark.
    •    And when the moment was biggest, Manzardo came through with a two-run double in the 10th to seal the win.

He was just a single shy of hitting for the cycle. This was the kind of game that puts a young player on the map, and if Manzardo can keep this momentum going, he could lock himself into the heart of this lineup moving forward.

[Segment 2: Ben Lively Steps Up]
Let’s not overlook what Ben Lively did last night. With Tanner Bibee scratched late due to some soreness, Lively got the nod on short notice—and he delivered. He kept the game close, giving the Guardians a chance to win it in extras. It’s these kinds of performances that show the depth of this pitching staff and the resilience of this team.

[Segment 3: Kwan Keeps Rolling]
And of course, Steven Kwan did what Steven Kwan does.
    •    He went 2-for-4 with a big RBI and continues to be the table-setter at the top of the lineup.
    •    His ability to put the ball in play and create offense out of nothing is exactly what this team needs.

Kwan’s consistency at the plate is a huge asset, and when he’s rolling, the whole offense follows.

[Segment 4: Bullpen Holds Strong, But Clase Struggles Again]
The bullpen did its job last night, keeping the game close and giving the offense a chance to win. But… we need to talk about Emmanuel Clase.

Clase struggled again, and this is starting to become a pattern. His velocity is down, and his slider doesn’t have the same bite. Opposing hitters are starting to figure him out, and it’s a real concern.

[Segment 5: Time to Move Clase?]
Here’s the question: Is it time to move Clase before his value drops even further? If the Guardians want to capitalize on his reputation while they can, a trade might be the best option.

Trade Scenario:
    •    One possibility is moving Clase in a package deal to bring in a shortstop.
    •    That would allow the Guardians to flex Bryan Rocchio to second and solidify the infield.
    •    Juan Brito could also be included in the deal to sweeten the package.

It’s a tough call, but with Clase’s struggles, the front office may need to consider making a move before it’s too late.

[Segment 6: Tomorrow’s Pitching Matchup]
Now, let’s look ahead to tomorrow’s game—because we’ve got a great pitching matchup on deck.
    •    Gavin Williams takes the mound for the Guardians. He had a 4.86 ERA last year, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He battled injuries throughout the season but looked sharp in spring training. Now, fully healthy, he’s ready to show he can be a cornerstone of this rotation.
    •    Opposing him is Seth Lugo, and this guy is no joke. Lugo had a 3.00 ERA last year and earned plenty of hardware—All-Star honors, a Gold Glove, and a spot on the All-MLB Second Team in 2024. He’s a strike-throwing machine with elite defense on the mound, which means the Guardians will need to bring their A-game.

It’s shaping up to be a battle, and this could be a real test for the Guardians’ offense.

[Wrap-Up]
Alright, that’s gonna do it for this episode of Guards Ball Podcast. Big win, big performances, but some big decisions may be coming soon. Thanks for tuning in—I’m CJ Cox, and I’ll be back soon with more Guardians talk. Until next time, stay locked in and let’s go Guards!