Guardians Lose a Forgettable Opener to Astros
Such is life
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Rhys Hoskins (8) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians on April 20, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The less said about this one, the better. Astros 9, Guardians 2.
We appear to have a Slade Cecconi problem. After tonight he has a 6. 20 ERA.
But, not to fret… it’s only a 5. 97 FIP. I attempted a hot take of saying that Cecconi would be the rotation’s second-best pitcher when I thought he was probably their fourth-best.
It turns out that saying he would be fourth-best should have been my hot take. His velocity was back tonight, but the pitch mix seemed suspect with way too many four-seamers early in counts. Slade has to find a way to get some whiffs and avoid more barrels or he’ll be ticketed to the pen as soon as Will Dion, Matt Wilkinson or Khal Stephen show they are ready.