Guardians Out-Slug Orioles to Best Record in Baseball, Putting Skeptics On Notice

The Guardians won another tense playoff type game against the Orioles, this time in a slugfest.
We talk about how some people are very, very wrong about why they don't believe in this team. Today's episode also covers the patience required to see Bo Naylor start to re-emerge as a key hitter in this lineup, in addition to his defensive development.
Pedro Avila also gets his flowers for his big work in this game, and how despite Logan Allen's (and the rotation minus Bibee/Lively) struggles, the Guardians have bought themselves time to work through it.
Finally, we also quickly remind everyone with the trading deadline coming, SHOWCASING is NOT a thing. We also discuss the current hot streaks by CJ Kayfus and Jhonkensy Noel, the promotions of Doug Nikhazy, Parker Messick, and Austin Peterson.
And very quickly, a note on being careful about not buying too hard into those ever changing mock drafts.
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#guardians #ClevelandGuardians #MLB

[@_prkchpsndwiches]

Pretty sure they told Harold Reynolds to play the "against" role for TV. Except he did zero homework, doesn't know this team and does not realize that teams don't play their own division like they used too. It was a master class in unpreparedness. Go Guards!

[@gonolz]

agreed.

[@LockedonGuardians]

He is the worst in the game right now and has been for awhile

[@the_furthest_reaches]

Bo’s OPS for June after last night’s game is 878.

[@LockedonGuardians]

He has been one of their best in June

[@derekparslow4243]

sweep tonight!!! it has been 2 amazing nights at camden, weather was amazing, bats were HOT, bullpen is on FIRE!!!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

Was hoping for it but winning that series was still huge

[@dbcollings5739]

BIG THUMBS UP for Gabriel Arias! #FreeArias

[@LockedonGuardians]

I knew you would enjoy it

[@kaeleenwescoat-oneill3755]

Justin is fired up!! I can hear the excitement in your voice on this episode. This team is really good. This team is really FUN! I think there is a mental component this year that wasn’t there before. Their confidence is growing and it’s building off itself. It’s an invisible factor that keeps them believing, and it keeps the fans believing in them too. This is not a fluke, it’s real. I’m loving every second of it!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

Hard to not be fired up at that point in the year

[@patbittinger9315]

Wowzers! That was a slug fest but thankfully we slugged a bit more. Love this team!

[@ericbarlow6772]

Yes this team never gives up. It seems like their motto this year is “‘Til the last at bat.”

[@LockedonGuardians]

Such a fun team to love

[@RobertGrose-jn3nw]

Amazing they are where there at with this starting rotation. Hoping Williams gets back soon and maybe Cantillo will help later. Probably still need another starter

[@LockedonGuardians]

Need Cantillo to show some more in the minors it's been a struggle with his return

[@_prkchpsndwiches]

Arias got three hits, but then was out on 2 base running errors and got caught stealing. I can't blame him on the caught stealing because that was not his decision to run. He also got thrown out of the first game in the series on a poor decision to argue balls/strikes. Glad he is improving and is only 24, needs times to mature. Seems like Vogt is willing to work through those issues.

[@Hoontear]

One of those caught at second was a good choice to go for two that required a great throw.

[@LockedonGuardians]

base running has been such a consistent issue this year

[@brianmarek5089]

As a lifetime Clevelander, I think I speak for us all when I say it's amazing to beat any team from that Bmore. This team is fun and that was an amazing game to see yesterday

[@LockedonGuardians]

Its such a fun team right now always feels like they have a chance

[@zivohel]

Justin No one thought they would be this good if they’re honest. Vogt and this staff with Jose and Austin deserve so much credit!!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

They do it's been such an amazing turn around from last yeat

[@thomaswilley380]

Logan Allen is an expert on pitching on the right day!

[@LockedonGuardians]

it feels that way

[@scottcecil5441]

Happy to see Barlow finding a groove. Love that slow slider throwing hitters off balance

[@LockedonGuardians]

he has been steady, he needs to find that consistency

[@jffagan]

Fantastic job Justin! Another impressive win and they took the series! I was hoping for 1 win, but like the rest of the year, they continue to exceed expectations.

[@LockedonGuardians]

They do but they need to just keep it up and going

[@gonolz]

Nice to hear about Nikhazy, Messick and Peterson, all guys I like! Logan Allen is what he is, a #5 MAYBE #4 starter, and let's not forget we were playing the Orioles, an elite team. He's definitely not someone I would trust with a playoff start.

[@JasonLove-ko6lu]

We need to replace him with a better pitcher

[@gonolz]

@@JasonLove-ko6lu who? Logan? Not sure that is happening. He may drop down the pecking order once we land a pitcher in the trade market.

[@JasonLove-ko6lu]

@@gonolz if they get a good pitcher put Logan as the #5 starer.

[@gonolz]

@@JasonLove-ko6lu #4 or #5, yes, pending Triston's coming performances. either way, he wouldn't be starting in the playoffs. nor should he.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I am fine with Logan as a 5, but the young arms have me hopefully more depth is on the way

[@joshuabayerjazz]

CLE!!!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

is great

[@shamanpj]

Catching up here. This was a great game. Hammy called it the game of the year. I give Bo the MVP for the game. Soooo glad he is finally starting to hit. Now let's sustain it!

[@LockedonGuardians]

Couldn't agree more

[@kurtsmith7104]

Hey great minds think alike Terry Pluto is calling for bringing Cal Quantril back.

[@LockedonGuardians]

His splitter has been a game changer

[@jacob_mcm]

Props to Valaika too. It was clear they had a plan and the hitters executed it well. Let's not talk about that sac bunt in the second though.

[@LockedonGuardians]

very good call on having a plan and sticking to it

[@DavidLane-so1fk]

Thanks Justin, quality episode as always. Unreal we have this current record 👍

[@LockedonGuardians]

so much fun

[@mutantmangoman]

I’ve probably been the guy who’s argued with you guys the most about Noel but I fully agree in tempering expectations. I actually might even be lower on him than you guys now because I’m fully willing to trade him without seeing him in the majors first. The issue I took this off-season was you guys saying he wasn’t a prospect anymore.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I still don't trust that hell be able to make his approach work in the majors enough to be an impact regular. It works for some guys. So he's either a unicorn (Sal Perez or Vlad) or he's just gonna be a guy. Zero defensive value too. It's all the bat. That's what puts him lower. But it's worth seeing who he is...or if someone likes him enough to give you a reliable mid rotation guy as part of a package, go for it - JL

[@mutantmangoman]

@@LockedonGuardiansand now he’s promoted so what do I know!

[@LockedonGuardians]

@@mutantmangoman there's a reason he was talked about on the show...

[@jaked6746]

Roll Damn Tribe. Another series W vs a highly talented team. Hopeful for the sweep but taking 2 of 3 from Baltimore is exactly what I hoped for. Tonight is just a bonus round.

[@LockedonGuardians]

They have built a huge lead luckily

[@jonathonbloomfield9912]

Yeah all other shows doubting Cleveland

[@LockedonGuardians]

It's very common sadly

[@JasonLove-ko6lu]

I thought the Guards would finish fourth place.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I thought 3rd in fairnes

[@RobertGrose-jn3nw]

They better save Curry for tonight

[@JasonLove-ko6lu]

Carrasco is pitching tonight

[@LockedonGuardians]

with the way he has pitched no need to save

[@brandonneuenschwander883]

I am not one of the people that doesn't like Arias! I don't understand how rocchio has such a long leash. I personally think Arias has way more potential.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I agree with you

[@M0ving7arg37]

My team got that daaawwwg in them.

[@LockedonGuardians]

they do

[@MarkBernard-th6ps]

What about Castillo?

[@LockedonGuardians]

Cantillo, he has been struggling

[@traviscoates6878]

Locked on Ad Reads

[@LockedonGuardians]

we are so much less than most shows

[@GuardiansEnjoyer]

what a game! And man IDK how Harold Reynolds has a job... he's been so terrible for so long

[@LockedonGuardians]

He is the worst

[@SquidwardsThong]

What did Harold Reynolds say?

[@SquidwardsThong]

Nevermind!

[@LockedonGuardians]

same dumb crap as always

[@Skunkbugy]

Is Bo Naylor finally back?????

[@LockedonGuardians]

I really hope so

[@jamesmcgowan7232]

Harold is just upset because his former team the White Sox are so lousy

[@LockedonGuardians]

Harold is just consistently bad

[@somedudeontwitterstalkedme3829]

Please Cleveland Guardian's Front Office, remember to stick to the program you built. Cleveland is a developmental Organization, continue to develop and give young players a chance to shine, do not block their ascent because the fanbase needs already known names to understand baseball. The answers may already be in the organization, before you go looking elsewhere. As a team they should not be big buyers in the trade deadline, because with a young team how do they know where the weaknesses are.... the chemistry on this team is just as important as big names are to the Yankees. Bo has yet to hit Tyler has yet to hit Aries has yet to hit Rochio has yet to hit Manzardo has yet to hit Rodriguez has yet to hit Angel has yet to hit Nonks has yet to hit Chase has not yet hit Gavin has not pitched K-chek has not pitched Eli has not pitched Sandlin is out this team is ahead of schedule..... enjoy the journey to contention let's stop trying to rig the process. Go Guardians

[@TheKLeifheit13]

Any other year I agree with you but this year has to be all in. Spot on with the chemistry though, you can't blow it up to get the pieces you need. Mild buyers is my guess, prospects for a starter/reliever and decent bat

[@somedudeontwitterstalkedme3829]

@@TheKLeifheit13 people say that same thing every year....the concept of all in is a wonderful statement.... but..... we have no idea what pieces we need.... we have taken weaknesses or shortcomings and conflated them, because we are cleveland fans. gavin is coming back at some point and until we know his status we are grasping at straws... for starting pitching what if two of the hitters I mentioned turn the corner..... if people can name all the times outside of Andrew Miller a deadline deal has worked for cleveland I would love to hear it. but for me this falls under cleveland's sports fans insecurity and need for big names to choose us. I believe like in the 90's cleveland can create big names by winning.... but it is all speculation on my part and you could be right. I just want to see what happens IF Cleveland completes the plan they put in place with the players already in our system

[@LockedonGuardians]

I think you need to work the margins, not huge deals but use the abundance of depth to help in spots that are a need