Guardians Aim to End Losing Skid as Astros Stay Red-Hot in Houston Showdown
Alright, here we go — it’s time for the Cleveland Guardians to try and flip the script as they roll into Houston for a three-game set against one of MLB’s hottest teams right now, the Astros. This is going to be a tough challenge, no sugarcoating it, because these two teams could not be trending in more opposite directions heading into Monday night’s series opener at Daiken Park.
The Guardians, unfortunately, are stuck in a deep rut. After getting swept at home by the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland has now dropped 10 straight games — and the frustration is palpable. They’ve been held to two runs or fewer in eight of those losses, and five times they've been shut out entirely. What’s even more painful is that the pitching hasn't completely collapsed — three of the last four starts have been quality outings. But without the bats waking up, it's been a brutal stretch.
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Tanner Bibee takes the ball to open the series. He's had a rocky season at 4-9 with a 4.20 ERA, but the last time he faced Houston, he gave Cleveland a shot — tossing 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball. On the other side, Houston counters with lefty Colton Gordon, who already notched a win against Cleveland earlier this season. That stat alone spells trouble, considering the Guardians are just 7-19 against left-handed starters this year.
Offensively, Cleveland does have a couple bright spots. Steven Kwan has been consistent, batting .298 after going 3-for-4 with two RBIs on Sunday. Bo Naylor and Angel Martinez have chipped in here and there, and there’s hope that a few timely hits could snap them out of this prolonged slump. But it’s going to take more than just hope — it’ll take execution, and against this Houston team, that's a tall order.
The Astros? They’re absolutely on fire. Just swept the defending champion Dodgers in LA, outscoring them 29-6 over three games. They’ve won 9 of their last 11, 16 of their last 21 — and they look every bit the playoff contender people expect. Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz, and even former Guardian farmhand Christian Walker have all been contributing in a big way. This team is deep, balanced, and aggressive.
Let’s not forget that the Astros have the upper hand in the season series too, leading 2-1. And historically? They’ve got a slight edge as well, up 48-46 all-time against Cleveland. So, for the Guardians, this isn’t just another road trip — it’s a make-or-break moment. Can they find some magic, string together some offense, and put a stop to this losing streak?
We’ll see. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. ET tonight, and if you’re a Guardians fan — this series might test your patience, but it’s also a shot at redemption. Keep your eyes on Kwan, hope Bibee brings his best, and maybe, just maybe, Cleveland pulls off something unexpected down in Houston.
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