It is totally impossible for me to predict what will happen next. Shane Bieber has pitched twice, the only 2 games the Guardians have lost so far, and given up 3 runs in 12 innings, leaving each game with the score tied. Between his starts we have seen Quantrill, Gaddis and Plesac give us poor performances and, along with Civale's excellent starts ended with the Guardians winning those 4 games.
Today is Gaddis again. Friday it will be Civale. Truth be told, after Quantrill on Saturday we should skip Plesac on Sunday and go back to Beiber again on 4 days rest. But what happens from there is anyone's guess, both rotation and perfromance of the atarters.
When will McKenzie come back?
Is Plesac really done? I know a number of people want that to be the case but I just can't believe it. He is not this bad of a pitcher.
Can Quantrill right the ship? I think so. I think it was just a blip but other pitchers have come back from the WBC and not been the same as their routine and preparation for the regular season was disrupted.
Plus, what will happen with the over-used bullpen? How will we find ways to get them reinforcements and not have to DFA true prospects. I don't want to hear how Palacios is not worth anything when guys like him could get us, at worst, another Ross Carver type or more, depending on his early season performance. I would rather not, but would be OK with losing Lavastida as I think he is truly lost right now in terms of his prospect status as now I view him as an organizational player.
As far as the lineup, but are we to do with Josh Bell? He is normally a fast starter but his start this year looks a lot like his end of last year. Will he right the ship and give us the type of performance and leadership he gave Washington last year? I think the offense ability to navigate the stormy seas created by uneven starting pitching and a taxed bullpen is dependent on him coming around.
What is going on with Zunino's defense? Is it his surgically reparied shoulder that isn't giving him the mobility to block balls? We have to get him right or replace him as our starters have to be able to bury balls in the dirt. If they feel they can't they are likely going to give up more hard contact which none of us should want.
These are all questions we have to answer.
We still have 156 games left and anything can happen. This team has shown so far that it still has good bones. It is a grind, a marathon. But we know there were be more stormy seas ahead and it would be nice to know that there were lifeboats if we have more injuries and more uneven performances.
I have ultimate faith in our front office and our manager to work their magic again to keep bringing in the needed reinforcements. Now we just have to have improved defense from Zunino, improved hitting from Bell, better performance overall from Gonzalez and an avoidance of situations that will result in short-term or long-term injuries.
All of what I said above are just platitudes and words without any substance of what to do. I don't think they bring up Naylor now, although that is a play they must consdder. I don't think they can continue with 5 catchers on the 40 man roster. I think they need another hitter, either infielder or outfielder on their 26 man.
The rest of the season starts today. Go Guardians!
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