Game Recap: Guardians 3, Royals 4

The Guardians lost a tough one today

Baseball is officially back! We got to experience the happiness and feeling of butterflies in our stomach on Opening Day, and today we got the other side of Baseball, the pain and anxiety of a tough loss. The logical takeway is that this is just 1 of 162, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Here are some of my immediate takeways from this game:

• We all knew that this bullpen was going to regress to a certain extent, they likely aren’t going to be one of the best bullpens in MLB history again. That regression has certainly reared its ugly head so far, especially in this game. Paul Sewald made a huge mistake by hanging a slider and Maikel Garcia made him pay with a HR off the foul pole to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 7th. A few batters later Hunter Gaddis hung a changeup to Bobby Witt Jr. and there went the lead. I’m still expecting this bullpen to be not just good, but great, but we have seen that regression that we wondered may come thus far.
• I thought Gavin Williams pitched excellent today, despite what the average statline may suggest. He rarely gave up any hard contact at all, and I’m not worried about all the bloop singles that lead to runs. He commanded the strikezone well, without much help at all from the umpire. I am super excited to watch him blossom this season.
• Steven Kwan looks like the same version of himself that we saw prior to his injury last season. I think we need to start asking ourselves, if he is able to stay healthy all season, could he hit 20 Home Runs? I don’t think that is out of the question. What a special player he is.

• Bo Naylor looks GOOD! He’s had a couple hits this season, but his at bats look so much better in general. He went 1-3 with a 103.5 MPH EV lineout today. It’s still early but based on what we saw from him in the Spring and these first couple games, I am very excited.
• José Ramírez left the game early today with a mild wrist sprain. It is imperative for this team that he can stay healthy long term. I think if they need to rest him a couple games to ensure that, then so be it. Here is what Steven Vogt had to say after the game.

It is a long season, and as much of a rollercoaster of emotions as today was, it truly was just 1 of 162. The Guardians get back at it tomorrow at 2:10 pm eastern time with a chance to win the series with their ace on the mound! Boy am I glad Baseball is back!