CTC Staff Guardians’ American League Division Series Preview

Covering the Corner’s writers give their thoughts

Our writers share their thoughts ahead of the American League Division series against the Detroit Tigers.

What are you most excited about for the Guardians in the ALDS?

Brendan: I’m excited to see how the bullpen gets utilized first and foremost. Very curious about how much of a workload they’ll have, especially when we’re in the back-end of our rotation.

Brian H: I’m most excited to have a rested, healthy team that hopefully can take advantage of the bye week by lining up its rotation.

Madelyn: I am most excited for this group of players to show off their skills in the Postseason for the very first time. Guys like Cade Smith and Kyle Manzardo will be facing off against the Tigers in a do-or-die situation that they’ve not had to do before. No matter the outcome, it will be so exciting to see how they all adapt and work together to reach the ultimate goal.

Matt Seese: it’s always going to be seeing Jose on a national stage. He’s an underrated legend of the game, and every shot we get in the postseason, I want nothing more than for him to come through in the biggest spots.

Matt Schlichting: The Guardians sweeping.

Nicole: Seeing what the bullpen can do under playoff pressure. I really think we’re going to see some of the pitchers reach back and throw some nasty stuff.

Quincy: Seeing Jose Ramirez and Emmanuel Clase in the playoffs.

westbrook: Angry Jose carrying us to the ALCS and getting all the attention he deserves

Zach: To see how Tanner Bibee pitches in his first ever playoff game. He has the exact mentality of someone I’d want to hand the ball to in game 1.

What are you most nervous about?

Brendan: I’m very nervous about how the bottom third of our lineup is going to fare and how it might impact the run output of the team.

Brian H: I’m most nervous about the inconsistent offense. If it doesn’t show up, it won’t matter how great our bullpen is (like in August).

Madelyn: I’m most nervous about facing the Tigers while they’re on such a hot streak. Facing off against guys like Tarik Skubal at a time when momentum is on their side will be a true test for the whole team. Also, I’m a bit uneasy about the fact that they’ll be playing Detroit after not playing competitive baseball in a week. While they’ve certainly been practicing and playing sim games, they could be rusty after not seeing real competition in seven days and not seeing the Tigers since July (before they got hot).

Matt Seese: how the pitching is handled. I feel pretty adamant about how it should go, and if any starter other than Bibee or Boyd makes a start this series, I think it’s to the detriment of the team.

Matt Schlichting: Not much. This team got plenty of experience during the season.

Nicole: The wrong bat slumping at the wrong time. As long as 2 of the 4 main hitters and 3-4 of the rest of the line up are regularly hitting, the offense can bloop single/timely hit their way to the ALCS. If the wrong person slumps though, especially in the bottom of the lineup, it could make things much harder than necessary.

Quincy: I am so nervous about this series that I feel like I might throw up. I know they’re a great team but anything can go wrong in a best of five series and I hate that people will call the team frauds/choke artists if that happens, because I love this team so much. I suppose my current sleep paralysis demon is that our rookie relievers find the pressure surprisingly hard to handle.

westbrook: The distinct possibility that our offense scores 2 runs in 3 games.

Zach: The lineup, especially considering the amount of young players. Will guys like Manzardo/Fry/Rocchio/Bo/Noel be overwhelmed with their first real taste of playoff experience? Will Kwan/Gimenez/Brennan improve upon what they did in the 2022 playoffs? Can one of José or Josh get hot and carry the offense? I sure hope so!

Make one prediction for the Guardians in this ALDS:

Brendan: The ALDS will go four games.

Brian H: My prediction is Jose Ramirez hits either a double or home run in his first at bat, which is the at bat he missed out on by not playing game 162 and preventing him from a 40-40 season.

Madelyn: The Guardians will start slow, but take off swinging once they get through a couple of innings. They’ll bring their signature brand of “Guards Ball” out and stun the Tigers from time to time.

Matt Seese: the Guardians sweep whoever they’re playing. This is pretty aggressive, yes, but it’s time for this franchise to stop playing on its heels in October and assert themselves as a player and not just a nameless victory for everyone else that they’ve been after the 2016 World Series.

Matt Schlichting: Steven Kwan will triple in game three. This news was delivered to me within a glowing orb that a raven delivered. It cawed, “Take that to the b-b-b-BANK!” before flying off. ...The orb exploded moments later. Does anyone know a good orthopedic surgeon?

Nicole: Cade Smith hits 100 mph.

Quincy: David Fry homers off a lefty.

westbrook: Guardians lose game 1 then win 3 in a row

Zach: Bo Naylor goes yard at least once.