2025 MLB First-Half Recap: Cleveland Guardians

The Pitching

The Good

Despite unspectacular pitching numbers, the Guardians have found arms that can eat innings.

Tanner Bibee had his best month of the year in June, when he struck out 32 over 31.2 IP and walked just five. Slade Cecconi, acquired in the Josh Naylor trade last December, tightened up his slider & is getting more left-to-right action compared to 2024. It’s been a key reason why he sported a sub-4.00 ERA before the break.

And, their bullpen has been a strength yet again.

Emmanuel Clase, who had a tough October, notched 21 saves and posted a 2.86 ERA across his first 44 innings. Clase, along with right-handers Cade Smith & Hunter Gaddis, along with lefty Tim Herrin, all had ERA+ figures above the league average.

Offensively, All-Stars Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez have been the team’s leaders. Ramirez could hit the 30 home run marker this season, while Kwan posted a .345 on-base percentage during the first half.

The Bad

Last season, the Guardians were able to “MacGyver” their pitching staff after losing staff ace Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery. Not to mention, Triston McKenzie took a fall down the depth chart.

Cleveland found some success with Ben Lively, and signed Matthew Boyd to piece things together towards the end. This year, it’s been a different story.

Lively went down early to season-ending elbow surgery. Luis Ortiz, who sported the highest year-to-year K/9 rise in the Majors this season, is in the midst of a gambling investigation and is on administrative leave. And, Bieber, along with offseason signing John Means, has not pitched in the Majors yet this season.

Their rotation has not been bad on paper, although the team’s skated through turbulence with Tanner Bibee — who got burned by hard-luck contact early on — and Gavin Williams, the latter of whom currently leads the AL in walks (58).

As for the offense, Cleveland’s lineup over the years has never been a true powerhouse. However, what’s troubling is that several key youngsters haven’t taken that next step forward.

Bo Naylor hit .171/.271/.356 (.626 OPS) across his first 75 games. Nolan Jones, re-acquired in March, hit just three home runs over his first 89 contests. Kyle Manzardo, who got off to a strong start, has hit for power but slashed .214/.292/.428 (.719 OPS) over his last 79 games.

Lane Thomas, a hero for the Guardians last October, has only played 39 games this year.

What to Expect in the Second Half

The Guardians, as of July 22, sat in second place of the AL Central but well behind the Tigers at 49-50. With the Wild Card their likely lone opportunity, Cleveland could go down multiple paths.

One would be to hold. The other would be to sell off pieces, including ones like Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase, both of whom are under team control past this season.

It would be a risky strategy — even though everything involves risk — as moving away from key players may hurt their chances of competing in 2026 & beyond. However, with a strong crop of relievers on the roster and outfielders on the rise, Cleveland could bet on their depth to fortify their organization with more assets.

First-half stats as of All-Star break. Cited stats in paragraphs as of writing.