WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:04.879 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. 2 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:10.320 Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians 3 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:58.679 fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi, everyone, welcome to 4 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:03.079 Guardians Weekly. Jimrosen House along with you from Great American 5 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:07.079 Ballpark in Cincinnati. This week, Guardians just getting started on 6 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.480 a long three city road trip that will feature ten games, 7 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:15.000 and they got it started on Friday, late afternoon here 8 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.560 in Cincinnati. Coming up on our show this week, we'll 9 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.920 hear from general manager Mike Chernoff, pitcher Matt Festa, hitting 10 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:25.120 coach Grant Fink, and we'll also have a minor league 11 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:28.239 report featuring double a ackron with the Vice president of 12 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:30.519 player Development, Stephen Osterer. 13 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:31.799 But first our. 14 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:34.439 Week in review, and we begin with the Milwaukee series 15 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:38.079 back home on Monday, a scoreless game until the fourth inning, 16 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:42.239 when once again Jose Ramirez jump started the Guardians offense. 17 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.359 Here's the three to two swung on ground ball near 18 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:47.239 the middle and on through a face head and a 19 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:51.760 right center. Ramirez makes the big turn as he always does, 20 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:54.959 but he'll stay at first. With a one out single. 21 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:00.640 Eleven straight games now on base four, Ramirez away for 22 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:05.040 Santana infield to pull slightly. There goes Ramirez with the pitch. 23 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.400 It's up high, the throw down is. 24 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:08.120 Not in time. 25 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:15.039 Stolen base Jose Ramirez, his tenth ran won the count. 26 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:17.599 Here's the pitch there knows Ramirez to third. The pitch 27 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:21.599 is a strike, the throw not in time. Another stolen 28 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:22.919 base for Ramirez. 29 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:28.479 And again, yes, there's risk involved, but Ramirez knows right 30 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:32.919 now the Guardians are facing one of the best pitchers 31 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:37.120 in the National League, so base hits. 32 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:38.560 Might be really hard to come by. 33 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:43.400 By the way, that stolen base for Jose Ramirez the 34 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:47.759 second one career stolen base number two hundred and fifty four, 35 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:52.319 moving him into a third place tie in franchise history 36 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:56.199 with Terry Turner again two hundred and fifty four in 37 00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:03.319 his wonderful career. Up next, Homarvis scaled two nine. After that, Well, 38 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:08.240 Kenny Lofton, He's in the top spot at four hundred 39 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:11.719 and fifty two stolen bases. And as a Cleveland Indian, 40 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:15.639 a pair of walks to Carlos Santana and Bo Naylor 41 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:19.400 loaded up the bases for Gabriel Arius. Here's the pitch 42 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.439 swung on and here's a high fly ball to center. 43 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:26.240 It's carrying back on the track. I'ntable to make the catch. 44 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:32.000 Is the centerfielder Churio. That's gonna score three. As the 45 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:39.479 bases are cleared on a double off the bat of Gabriel, Arius, Ramirez, 46 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:44.439 Santana and Naylor all came around and it is three 47 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:50.759 nothing Cleveland. Boy, it looked like Churio did not take 48 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:55.560 the right route and got burned as that ball was 49 00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:58.759 up there for a while and he cut across before 50 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:01.680 going back and not get back on a ball that 51 00:04:02.360 --> 00:04:06.439 bounced not even on the warning track. It was still 52 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.240 a three to nothing lead for Cleveland in the sixth inning, 53 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.360 and after a leadoff walk to Ramirez, he continued to 54 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:16.480 terrorize the Brewers. Now the two ozer delivery runner goes 55 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.920 pitched down and in throw the third Hi throw great 56 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:26.480 leaping grabbed by Durbin and Ramirez steals third again and again. 57 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:33.079 Jose Ramirez never tries to steal unless there's a reason 58 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:34.279 in which. 59 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.279 It can help the club. 60 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:38.759 And that's a big steal of third because it came 61 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:43.319 after the strikeout. Now it forces the infield in with 62 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:46.920 a runner at third, one out, third time in Jose 63 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:52.879 Ramirez's future Hall of Fame ending of a career that 64 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:56.600 he is swiped three in a game. Then Kyle Manzardo 65 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.800 delivered to bring Ramirez home. So the Brewers bring the 66 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:02.800 in feeling into the cut of the grass. Three nothing Cleveland, 67 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:06.959 one out, payoff pitch swung on a little bloop job 68 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:11.560 shallow center base. It Cleveland's up four nothing, Well credit 69 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:15.879 that to Jose Ramirez went to second on a pitch 70 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.319 in the dirt, stole third, scores on the bloop single 71 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:23.920 to center. Four nothing Cleveland, and give Kyle Manzardo a 72 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:28.800 team high twenty three rbies and Pat Murphy. We'll make 73 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.480 that slow walk to the mound out of that first 74 00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:36.839 base dugout. Freddy Peroulta's night will end at ninety five pitches. 75 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:40.759 A basis loaded walk to Carlos Santana in the seventh 76 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:44.319 inning made it five to nothing Cleveland, and as usual, 77 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:48.160 the bullpen was lights out, keeping the Brewers off the scoreboard, 78 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:50.680 with Hunter Gatison to finish the job. 79 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:51.319 In the ninth. 80 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:55.079 The kicking delivery swung on Chopper up the middle to 81 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:59.680 his left. Arius Gloves throws ball game terrific play by 82 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:03.000 our rre. He is standed and for the second time 83 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:09.240 in four games, the Guardians pitches shutout, beating Milwaukee five nothing, 84 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:12.439 So a nice win for the Guardians to start the 85 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:16.240 series on Monday. Then on Tuesday, the Guardians jumped on 86 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:19.480 top in the first inning, this time one big swing 87 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:24.000 from Jose Ramirez. Jose Ramirez now adding two eighty nine 88 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:28.360 six ommers eighteen rbies the pitch and he sends one 89 00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:32.199 to deep right field. This ball's got a chance and 90 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:38.360 go Jose Ramirez makes it one nothing Cleveland. 91 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:41.160 They hits number seven. 92 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:47.480 Six of the seven have come left handed and just 93 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:52.360 did clear the nine foot wall and Cleveland's gotta one 94 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.680 nothing lead. Man, he is something else and he is 95 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:59.199 starting to put together another memorable season for the Guardians. 96 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:03.399 Now on the more great pitching, this time Logan Allen 97 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:09.079 shut down the Milwaukee offense. Now the payoff pitch Swing 98 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:13.279 NMS elevated the fastball at ninety miles an hour and 99 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:15.720 Logan Allen strengths out Christian Yelich. 100 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:17.720 Now the one two. 101 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:23.240 Swing NMS fastball away got him sixth in the game 102 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:27.399 for Logan Allen and Cleveland maintains a one nothing lead 103 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:31.079 here in the sixth still just a one nothing Guardians 104 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:34.519 lead in the eighth inning. That's when Jose Ramirez singled, 105 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:38.079 bringing Cole man Zardo to the plate. The right handers 106 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:42.000 sents a the belt fires and the pits swung online 107 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:44.879 to center coming hard diving in the ball. 108 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:49.000 Skips by Cherio. It'll go to the warning track. Ramirez 109 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.560 will score on his. 110 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:54.839 Way to third, man startle in sliding feet first, two 111 00:07:55.040 --> 00:08:01.240 nothing Cleveland. A sinking liner then is going to be 112 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:07.079 an RBI triple. We told you how deep Cherio plays everybody. 113 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:12.600 And on that sinking liner he charged that center dove, 114 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.079 didn't catch it, didn't stop it, ball skip by him 115 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:21.079 and rolled toward the warning track. And the Guardians now 116 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:25.319 later two to nothing. And it's been a tough series 117 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:30.560 defensively for Jurio and Center and time is called, will 118 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:34.200 get a pinch runner for Kyle Manzardo. He gets his 119 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:40.279 second triple and his team high twenty fourth RBI. And 120 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.960 then it was a Manuel Class A on in the 121 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:46.360 ninth and after days off to rest a sore shoulder, 122 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:49.120 he looked as good as we've seen him this season. 123 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:56.039 Class as ready the set the pitch swinging in the miss. 124 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:01.240 Ball game, all three outs coming on the wicket Sliders. 125 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:06.879 Back to back shutouts for Cleveland, three shutouts in the 126 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:11.279 last five games, and the Guardians have won the series. 127 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:16.080 They'll look for the sweep tomorrow. Beating Milwaukee tonight two 128 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:19.399 and a nothing. Guardians were looking for a sweep on 129 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:23.039 Wednesday afternoon, but the Brewers won it by a nine 130 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:26.399 to five final score. Off day Thursday, and then the 131 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:30.120 opener of the series here in Cincinnati. That was supposed 132 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:33.360 to be Friday night, but because of pending bad weather, 133 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.559 the Reds, major League Baseball, and the Guardians all agreed 134 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:39.519 to move the game time up to five ten, so 135 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:42.960 it was a late afternoon game and Cincinnati raced out 136 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:45.960 to a five to nothing lead. Guardians closed made it 137 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:48.440 a one run ball game, but eventually lost the. 138 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.200 Game five to four. 139 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:52.799 Stay with us when we come back, we'll have more 140 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.000 as general manager Mike Chernoff joins us along with Reeleief 141 00:09:56.039 --> 00:09:59.960 pitcher Manfesta. 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Progressive Cattlety 152 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.639 Insurance Company and Affiliates and other insurans not available in 153 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.519 all stages of situations. 154 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:46.720 Guardians Weekly continuing from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Chim 155 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.960 Rosen House along with you as we bring you our 156 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:52.320 show from the road. The next two weekends will be 157 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:56.759 in Detroit next weekend. General manager Mike Churnoff joined us 158 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:59.440 over the weekend when the team was at home, and 159 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:03.159 the Guardian general manager talked about the team passing the 160 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:06.799 forty game mark and how the front office evaluates that 161 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:10.159 first month and a half or so of the regular season. 162 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.879 Yeah, it's still early, but I think we are feeling 163 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:15.279 like we're sort of getting into the groove of the season. 164 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.600 We've had some moments that have certainly been a grind, 165 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:21.159 but at least from a win loss perspective, we feel 166 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:25.039 we have a really competitive team in a really competitive division. 167 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:28.159 And I think probably as we think about where we 168 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:29.840 are in the season and where we have to go, 169 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:34.000 we're really optimistic. We've held our own and done pretty well, 170 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:36.200 and we feel like we have a lot of reinforcements 171 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:39.279 that hopefully in the near future, you know, months, a 172 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:41.720 couple of months, a month, maybe in some cases we 173 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:43.840 may be getting some guys back from the il that 174 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:46.480 we feel can really impact the team. So I think 175 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:48.360 we feel really optimistic about where we are. 176 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:51.120 And every year is different, and you're doing a little 177 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:53.879 bit differently this year, and that at times the bullpen 178 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:56.639 has relinquished some leads late in the game, more so 179 00:11:56.679 --> 00:12:01.000 than a year ago. We're talking earlier around baseball. It 180 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.360 seems like there's more dramatic endings and lead changes late 181 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:08.159 than maybe there were last year. And maybe maybe that's 182 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:12.320 just not true or not, But are you noticing anything 183 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:16.120 here that that might indicate relievers having a tougher time 184 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.320 shutting it down late in games and being dominant. 185 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:20.879 It's a good question. I know what you mean. Anecdotally, 186 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:22.799 it does feel like every night you see these highlights 187 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.720 of kind of a blown save. I think we might 188 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:27.039 have just been so spoiled last year. I mean, we 189 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:30.759 had an historically good bullpen that basically the lead never 190 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.840 changed once we had it in a game, which is 191 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:36.320 unheard of, and you know, bullpens can be super volatile, 192 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:39.600 and unfortunately, we've had a few guys that were like 193 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:42.200 just rock solid last year have a few outings that 194 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.519 didn't go in their favor. At the same time, I 195 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:47.679 do feel like we've seen Emmanuel Classe after he was 196 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:49.799 sort of down for a short period of time, his 197 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.840 stuff has been so much better, His confidence looks so 198 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.840 much better. So I think we'll feel better about the 199 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.559 very back end and that we still have the best 200 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:58.519 closer in baseball, and we feel like there's there are 201 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.600 continued things that we're seeing with some of our other 202 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:04.240 back end guys where nothing has changed in the stuff 203 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:07.200 profiles or the way they get guys out. We've just 204 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.679 maybe hit a little bit of bad luck with some 205 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:11.679 of the outings that they've had recently. General manager Mike 206 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:14.919 Tchernoff joining us and I like to take a look 207 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.799 at it kind of a deep dive on a player 208 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:21.159 or two. Daniel Schneman has had a great stretch here 209 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:25.039 both at the played end defensively as well. A late 210 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.399 round draft choice. 211 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:29.799 So what did you identify in him and how unusual 212 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:32.360 it is? Is it based on his draft status for 213 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:34.639 him to make the progress that he has. 214 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.240 Yeah, it's certainly unusual. I mean, you don't expect that 215 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.960 when you get someone as late as we did with him. 216 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:41.799 But that's baseball, and that's what I love about baseball, 217 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.279 you know, I try to tell my own kids the 218 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:47.360 same thing, like you, Talent in baseball emerges at different 219 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.399 periods of time. And so what we saw on him 220 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:52.320 as an incredibly hard worker who could play up the 221 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:54.679 middle positions and really had the versatility to play a 222 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:57.919 lot of different positions, and he grinded it out. 223 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.159 You know. 224 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:00.600 He was always the guy that managers were fighting to 225 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:04.440 keep in the organization and that got him to a 226 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:06.159 place where he stayed in it long enough that he 227 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:08.240 could make some swing changes that you're seeing what he 228 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:11.000 can do offensively now, and it's been really impressive. He's 229 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.679 actually been one of the key contributors offensively to our team, 230 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:16.200 and he's doing it while still moving around at premium 231 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.840 positions you worried at all. 232 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:21.039 With less less rounds of the draft and a smaller 233 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.879 inventory of minor league players that kids like him won't 234 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.080 have that chance to develop. 235 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.559 I do I think you're gonna have fewer of these stories. 236 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.399 I mean, look, I understand the benefits of going to 237 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:33.840 the shorter draft and sort of consolidation of minor league affiliates. 238 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:36.440 It allows us to pour more resources into each guy 239 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.240 that we get, But I do think in baseball there's 240 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:42.240 a lot of unknowns. It can be a long development 241 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:44.720 curve for some guys, and so it does reduce the 242 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.679 chance of that happening. 243 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:49.799 One other guy before we go. Carlos Santana has gotten hot, 244 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:52.279 as he usually does after the first month of the season. 245 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:55.960 How different a player and a person is he now 246 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.679 than when he first came over here. 247 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.840 From the Dodgers and was catching and trying to learn that. 248 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:03.120 Oh man, it's I love Carlos. He is one of 249 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:06.639 my favorite people. He has matured a tremendous amount. Obviously, 250 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:08.639 we got him when he was a kid and he 251 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:11.159 was he was trying so hard to be a good catcher, 252 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:14.559 and obviously he's such a he's he's in such a 253 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:17.759 better spot now playing first base. He's really progressed defensively 254 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:20.120 at first base from when we saw him there. I 255 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.879 think in a lot of ways, he's a very similar 256 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.039 hitter to what we saw when we first got him. 257 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:27.759 Just unbelievable play discipline, great pitch selection. This guy always 258 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:30.159 took his walks and knew the importance of that. And 259 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:33.240 he can turn around bitches, you know, whenever he needs to. 260 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:37.519 It's been super impressive to see him do that through 261 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:40.039 this long of a career and into age whatever he is, 262 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:43.000 thirty eight, thirty nine years old. Super impressive, Like, thanks 263 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.840 a lot for the visit as always, of course, thanks 264 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.600 for having me Roos. 265 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:49.440 And his general manager, Mike Chernop. And one of the 266 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:52.879 acquisitions that the front office has made since the season 267 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:58.159 began has been the acquisition of Matt Festa, a relief pitcher, 268 00:15:58.440 --> 00:16:01.879 especially helpful since the entry to Paul Seawald has laid 269 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:06.000 him up for a significant amount of time, and Fest 270 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:08.480 has been a real nice addition. In fact, he threw 271 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:11.120 two scoreless innings to keep it close on Friday night, 272 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.720 and when we caught up with him recently, he talked 273 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.919 about how he's been able to get off to a 274 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.519 good start. 275 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:20.759 It's just been easy to get comfortable with the scoop 276 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:24.639 of guys here. They make you feel welcome and just 277 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:28.720 getting the opportunity to pitch sometimes give some people in 278 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.519 the bullpens some rest, like the four horsemen that you 279 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.279 guys got there. So if I can go in and 280 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:34.240 take some of the load off those guys, it's good 281 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.759 for the team. 282 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:37.120 You can go to spring training with another ball club 283 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:40.240 and then within a month you're on the move. How 284 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.759 difficult is that and how much of an adjustment is 285 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.240 that for you? 286 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:46.639 It's not that hard after last year. Last year is 287 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:49.080 my first time doing it. Kind of just hitting opt 288 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:53.240 outs until something sticks. So I'm basically a temp contract worker. 289 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.559 You know, if I do my job, then I'm going 290 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.720 to find a home somewhere. 291 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:01.679 Knowing the talent and his bullpen fun to kind of 292 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:04.039 be a part of that and see if that raises 293 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.880 your level of your game in any way. 294 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:10.599 Absolutely, being around some dogs like helps you be a dog. 295 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:14.920 So it's been really fun working around these guys. They 296 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.559 keep it light, but they know how to work hard. 297 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:19.440 Relationship has always been important in this game. How well 298 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.960 do you know manager Steven Vote. 299 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.559 I know him pretty well. 300 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:25.119 He was my bullpen coach in twenty twenty three, So 301 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.400 it's always good to have someone like that with a 302 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:30.799 little familiarity of who you are and the confidence in 303 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:32.599 you to you know, kind of just throw you into 304 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:34.359 the fire. So I enjoy that. 305 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:37.079 Did you see this coming for him just based on 306 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:40.000 that one season that he was coaching there, I don't know. 307 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.440 I know he was, you know, trying to learn as 308 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:46.319 much as he could in Seattle during his time. I 309 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:48.240 don't think anybody thought it was going to be as quick, 310 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:51.720 even himself. So it's awesome to see him succeed. Matt, 311 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.720 thanks a lot for a time. Appreciate it. Great, thank 312 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.440 you answer. 313 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:58.680 Relief picture Matt Festa talking about his early weeks as 314 00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:01.359 a Cleveland Guardian. Stay with us when we come back. 315 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:04.000 We'll turn to the offense and visit with hitting coach 316 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:08.240 Grant Fink. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. 317 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:46.039 Here's the one too swung on and here's a high 318 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:49.279 fly ball deep right center field. This one's way back 319 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.920 there and that ball is gone home run. Bohe Naylor 320 00:18:55.319 --> 00:19:00.359 and the Guardians creep closer on Naylor's sixth home. 321 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:03.480 Run of the season. Now the one to one pitch. 322 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:07.599 Swung on hit high, deep to right on its way 323 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:10.960 to the Ohio River, and it's all one run game. 324 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:14.559 How deep into the seats and right. 325 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:21.480 Jose Ramirez hits his ninth and at Jose Ramirez get 326 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:26.039 into that one and the Guardians, down at one point 327 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:30.400 five to nothing, have now climbed back to within a 328 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:35.920 run on a towering blast halfway up the bleachers and right. 329 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:41.000 For Jose Ramirez, it gives him a ten game hitting streak. 330 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:48.319 Jim Rosenhoun's back with you from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, 331 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:50.839 where the Guardians are taking on the Reds this weekend, 332 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:54.759 Saturday night of six forty. First pitch, one forty on 333 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:58.799 Sunday afternoon. Grant Fink is in his first year as 334 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:01.880 the Guardian's hitting coach. He's been in the organization for 335 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:05.680 quite some time, working with the minor league prospects, both 336 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:08.799 as a full season hitting coach and also as the 337 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:12.519 coordinator of minor league hitting instruction, and he says after 338 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:15.519 spring training, in the first forty plus games of the season, 339 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:18.200 he started to get a pretty good feel now for 340 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:21.240 what this offense needs to do to be successful. 341 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:24.119 Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I mean we're starting to see trends 342 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:26.039 at this point. We're starting to see that bat numbers 343 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:28.440 pick up and some areas that guys are really having 344 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.119 a lot of success on. Some areas that we're having 345 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.400 to push a little bit at for sure. 346 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.960 So rattling through a bunch of different guys, we'll kind 347 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:37.359 of rapid fired a little bit. Gabrielarius, you saw him 348 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:40.440 in the minor leagues and you're seeing him now. How 349 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:43.000 different a hitter is he at this point where he's 350 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.720 having great success compared to what you saw even when 351 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.480 he was having success in the minor leagues. 352 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.440 Oh, we we couldn't be happier with where he is. 353 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:51.640 The confidence he comes to the plate every day, the 354 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.240 confidence he comes into his training, the way he's preparing 355 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:57.400 and being ready for the game. His preparation is what's 356 00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:00.079 separating him from where he's been in the past. Is 357 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.480 ready to go, and you can see it in the 358 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:04.440 way he moves, the pitches he's swinging at and just 359 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.559 the confidence in the swings. 360 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.279 How did that change for him? 361 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.720 I think he made the decision that he was going 362 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:11.799 to work his tail off and he told me at 363 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.200 the beginning of the year, this is the hardest I've 364 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:16.240 ever worked going into a year, and we couldn't be 365 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.279 happier to see that payoff. 366 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:20.680 We'll stay on some young guys. Kyle Mansardo hitting for 367 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:23.559 great power, not quite the average yet, and it seems 368 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:26.119 like that'll come because it's where it's always been. And 369 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:28.559 what are you working with on him to maintain the 370 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:31.319 good power numbers and maybe bring some other things along too. 371 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.240 So I heard vote he say this last night that 372 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:35.880 he's a good hitter with power, and we fully believe that, 373 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:38.200 and his whole career he's shown that he has the 374 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:40.039 ability to drive the ball to all fields and it's 375 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:42.200 not just a home run or nothing. So we've been 376 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:44.240 spending a decent amount of time on you know, staying 377 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.079 in his back hip driving the ball the opposite way, 378 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:48.559 but also taking his chances on the pitches that you know, 379 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.680 come over the middle of plate that. 380 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.160 He can drive. 381 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:54.480 Daniel Schneeman was saying that he's kind of adjusted his 382 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:57.279 focus to try and hit it where the shortstop is. 383 00:21:57.680 --> 00:22:00.680 If he thinks that way, everything else would all into place. 384 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:03.400 Why can that be an effective way to do it? 385 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.920 Because it certainly has worked for him. 386 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:07.480 I think it's a big difference between a feel versus 387 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:10.640 what actually happened. So when he thinks that is, his 388 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.599 path gets a little crisper, he gets behind the base 389 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.920 fallow faster. And I think the third day he was 390 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:17.319 thinking that he hit those two home runs in Toronto 391 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:19.359 and it was like, Okay, I'm thinking hit to the ball, 392 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:21.799 the short stuff, but I just hit two pull side homers. 393 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.400 And then the next day he drove some opposite line drives. 394 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:27.599 So whatever that thought does, it cleans his path up 395 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.200 and gets him behind fastballs really well. 396 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:32.519 A couple of guys who are struggling numbers wise, maybe 397 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:36.119 for different reasons. First, Nolan Jones, is it not fair 398 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:38.079 to look at certain numbers right now? And what are 399 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:41.000 you seeing that indicates that he could be just fine 400 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.759 here in a short period of time. 401 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:46.039