September 27, 2025 • 39 mins
Guardians overtake Tigers for first place in the Central Division for the first time since early April. We'll recap a crazy series with Detroit at Progressive Field that saw the Guards take two out of three. Plus, conversations with catcher Austin Hedges and Jacob Junis who had a big week out of the bullpen. Also, General Manager Mike Chernoff joins the show to reflect on an amazing September run. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhause along with
you this weekend as we join you from Progressive Field
in downtown Cleveland, last weekend of the regular season with
the Guardians still hoping for postseason play, and hopefully we'll
have another show for you next week while the team
is still playing, as it's Wildcard week next week, and
(01:13):
that appears to be where the Guardians are headed if
and when they do clinch a playoff berth. If you're
listening to this show on Saturday morning on the Guardians
Radio Network, Well, the Guardians can clinch the American League
Central Division crown today with a Tiger loss at Fenway
Park in the afternoon. Then the Guardians play tonight Saturday
(01:34):
night in downtown Cleveland against the Texas Rangers. If they win,
coupled with a Tiger defeat, the Guardians will clinch their
second consecutive American League Central Division crown and be slotted
in in the Wildcard round of the postseason because they'll
have the third best record of the division winners, and
they very well could play the Detroit Tigers in that
(01:56):
wildcard round. Coming up on our show this week, will
be joined by general manager Mike Chernoff, also catcher Austin Hedges,
relief pitcher Jacob Junis, and rookie outfielder p d Halpin,
as well as a minor league report from Vice president
of player Development Stephen Osterer. But first our weekend review
and man, it's been a fun week here in downtown
(02:17):
Cleveland at Progressive Field. The big series with the Tigers
started on Tuesday night. Great pitching matchup featuring cy Young
favorite Trek Skoubell against Guardians right hander Gavin Williams, and
the Tigers struck first, taking a one nothing lead in
the third inning, but otherwise Williams was dominant in this one.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Gavin Williams has had electric stuff tonight. He did have
to labor through a thirty two pitch inning in the fourth,
but left them loaded. The pitch swag and anscotam of
the slider eleven strikeouts, matching a season high.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Detroits Riley Green hit a solo blast in the top
half of the sixth inning to make it to nothing,
But then the Guardians offense got something going. In the
bottom of the sixth Stephen Kuan led off with a
bunt base hit. Then on help Martinez stepped in on.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Al Martinez, he bunts first base line picked up by
Scooble underhand between the lights, flip down.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
The right field line.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
In the follow ground Pierre nailed it, getting cute Tarrek
Scubel pretending he was an NFL center.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Instead of hiking.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
The ball at the quarterback, he hiked it to the
end zone and the Guardians catch a mammoth break. No
idea what Scuoble was thinking. But Kwan ends up at
third on hell Martinez at second, nobody out, and this
place is rocking now for Jose Ramirez patting right handed.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And then Jose Ramirez delivered to put Cleveland on the board.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
The O two to Ramirez swinging a jam job weekly hit,
the third McKinstry charges clubs no play and the stores
clawn and the third Martinez and a fifty foot single
for Jose Ramirez cuts the lead in a half.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
And is this simply how we have seen it all
month long.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Cleveland will scratch and claw their way and in this case,
Jose Ramirez, with a fifty foot jam job down the
third base line gets an Arbi single his eighty second.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
The next batter was David Frye, and I'm sure you've
seen it by now, a scary situation. He was hit
in the face with a fastball from Trek Scouble as
he was trying to get a bunt down, and that
really seemed to rattle Scooble. As you would imagine, he
struggled to find the plate and the Guardians took advantage.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Martinez at third, Ramirez at first. Nobody out two to
one Tigers in the bottom of the sixth and George
Valera awaits the pitch here it comes in.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
The dirty getaway from Dengler in the score the.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Time roun Martinez in the second is Ramirez, Well, then
you gotta believe that's a byproduct of Kerk's Scoobels still
being very shaken by what happened to David Frye, and
the Wild Pitches tied this game at two.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Next, a bock from schoobl moved Fromirez up to third,
and then Gabrielarius came through to one pitch.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Darius swung on a chapter the first up with the
Torquos and steps on the back Premiraz scars to go
ahead run.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
How about that Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Has scored three runs here against Trek on the sixth
innning on three BA sins and a Scoobal throwing air
and none of those base sits win any further than
forty five to fifty feet.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
What a wild sixth inning it was. And just the
medical update on David Fry. He did leave the field
on the cart and was taken immediately to Lutheran Hospital
downtown and then transferred over to the Cleveland Clinic and
was released the next day. But major facial fractures and
he'll have a six to eight week recovery before he's
(06:37):
okay and out for the season, as you would expect. Anyway,
back to the game, the Guardians added to their lead
in the seventh inning two on too out Daniel Steamen
at the plate.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Finnegan's ready.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Here's the two to two delivery, a swinging a light
right pasion in the center that'll score Headges.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Here comes Kun to score.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Steven's delivered a pitch at two run single to left center,
and Cleveland has a five to two lead.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
And this place is up for drafts.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So it was up to the bullpen to hold the lead,
and in the eighth Hunter Gaddis did just that. Here's
the cent here's the one too swinging and the neskcot
out of the sladder.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Gaddis strikes out the side.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Cleveland pitching has struck out seventeen of the twenty.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Four outs, and then Kate Smith came on trying to
save it. In the ninth.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Tigers down to their last strike and Cleveland will not
only move into a tie for first, but they'll own
the season, series and the tiebreaker.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Here's the pitch swung online.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
To third Talk by Raverez Paul Game the Guardians take
over the Central Division lead. They beat the Detroit Tigers
five to two. They win the seats and series with
this victory. Thus the records are the same, but Cleveland's
actually in first and Detroit is in second. Guardians win
(08:11):
Game one, five to two.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I want to win for the Guardians as they moved
into a first place tie record wise. Wednesday, again, the
Tigers the opponent Game two of the series, and Detroit
took the lead, scoring a run in the top half
of the third inning, but that didn't last long. As
in the bottom of the inning, Brian Rochio led off
with a double and George Valera stepped in.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Infield in for the rookie Malaria struck out his first time,
Flarity attacked him with a breaking ball. This pitch hit
a ton deep center field.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
It is.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
George Valera has put the Guardians on top two to
one on a towering hoverness, his second major league home run,
giving him five army eyes. And this is how you
(09:12):
just keep attacking the team you're trying to chase down.
As soon as Detroit gets a little momentum, Cleveland snaps
it back.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
In the fifth again, it was Rochio getting it started
with a base hit. He stole second to get into
scoring position for Stephen Kwan. Kwan's been terrific with men
in scoring position, hitting three point thirty six on the year.
Coming in the.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
Three to one, swung on line drive left center field
head it gets down for a base hit, rounding third.
Scoring is Rochio on another Harvei single for Stephen Kwan,
this time the left center and the Guardians take a
three to one League one quant so tough with men
(10:02):
in scoring position, he now has fifty six runs batted
in and the Guardians have opened up a two run advantage,
and on the mountd Tanner, Biby continued to record a
stretch of starts by Cleveland pitchers that would produce a record.
They're on their feet again. Here at the corner of
Carnegiean and Ontario. Three to one Cleveland runner at first,
(10:25):
two down, Biby, He's ready. Here's the two to two
to wind Cell pels God, I'm swinging on a curveball
in the dirt. Nailor digs it out, tags them out.
Five strikeouts for Biby and another roaring standing ovation as
(10:47):
Bibby and Cleveland come to the third base, dugout three
to one Cleveland in the middle of the sixth.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
In the seventh, the Guardians were trying to add a
little more insurance. They loaded the bases with two outs
and it Jose Ramirez delivering in the clutch again, one.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Into the count. Here's the pitch swung and smash.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
To right pace hat.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Here comes sneaping to score. Here comes helping to score
in the second. Rama's head first slide.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
And stopping at third is Rokio.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Jose Rameez delivers again and Cleveland with up five to one,
land here. In the seventh inning, a shut to right,
they glanced off the glove of Torres and Jose. He
turned it into a hustle double and the choir at
Carnagian Ontario takes over.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
In the eighth, Jacob Junis continued his impressive stretch out
of the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
The pit swung on and miss got him to chase
the slinder down and away. Tortel sent out swinging Junas
with a one, two, three, eight, five to one Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Junas then retired the first two Tiger hitters in the
ninth before giving up a base hit and turn it
over to Kate Smith to finish the job.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
The seventh pitch swing in a Q shot towards second.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Rochio Clubs throws ballgame.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
And Cleveland's incredible September continues to march on five to one,
Cleveland the winner over Detroit as they hand the Tigers
their eighth consecutive defeat.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So the Guardians now led the Central Division by a
game plus the tiebreaker, and that came into play Thursday,
as the Tigers salvaged the finale of the series with
a four to two win, so they leave town with
the same record, but again The Guardians have that advantage
due to winning the season series, and that came in
to play again on Friday as the Rangers came in
(13:01):
and defeated Cleveland seven to three, but Detroit lost at
Fenway Park in Boston and walk off fashion for the
Red Sox. And that means the Guardian's head into place Saturday,
still in first place in the AL Central. Stay with us,
want we come back, We'll hear from general manager Mike Chernoff.
That's next the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
The post crib assembly Prescotfredson brought you Progressive. Michael. You
had some trouble putting.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
The crib together today?
Speaker 4 (13:31):
What went wrong?
Speaker 7 (13:32):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
He said, when your wife pulled you and called in
the backup.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes, You've got a changing table
to put together. Next, it's got a lot of drawers.
What's your coming it?
Speaker 8 (13:46):
We're done here, like it or not.
Speaker 7 (13:48):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
protect your home. In Auto Progress a cash team, Jermans
Company Affiliates and other inn churis not available in those
states of situations.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Guardians Weekly continues from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. Jim
Rosenhouse along with you this weekend as the Guardians are
taking on the Rangers the final series of the regular season,
and Cleveland trying to nail down a postseason birth and
make sure that there's more baseball next week as the
postseason begins on Tuesday. Mike churn Off is the Guardians
(14:28):
general manager. We had a chance to catch up with
him recently, and what a September it's been for Cleveland.
Nothing new though, if you go back to the Terry
Francona era, Cleveland has always seemed to play their best
baseball down the stretch. And when we caught up a journey,
he talked about some of the keys to playing winning
baseball in the final month of a long regular season.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (14:49):
I mean, look, there's no magic formula, and you can't
control for the timing of when a team is going
to come together. But I do think the daily process
that you see here, preparation that we do, and the
consistency that we have in our pregame work every day,
I think sets us up well to do very well
in the second half of the year. And we've seen
that over the years, both under Tito and now especially
(15:12):
under Voter. Our guys are locked in on their pregame routines.
We don't ever let that up first game of a series.
It is hours and hours of meetings and then on
field work, and I think that prepares us to be
as consistent as possible and prepared for whatever could happen
in the second half of the year.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Now you have to have the player buy in on that.
Not every team does, I don't think, and you can
get some pushback, I would imagine, but it seems like
there is that good player buy in. And where does
that come from?
Speaker 7 (15:40):
You think, yeah, no.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Doubt about it.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
That starts with Jose Ramirez. I mean, when Jose is
willing to put in the pregame work that he does,
it's hard for anybody to say that they shouldn't do
it too. So it absolutely starts with some star players
like that who are willing to do it and who
understand the benefits of it. And then I think, like
I said, I think it is a coaching staff that
puts in the time, has the consistency of routine where
(16:04):
guys just show up to the field and their default
routine is they know exactly what they have to get done,
they get their work done, and then they come back
in and prepare for the game.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
We don't know what the endgame to this is going
to be, but certainly it's been a really fun September,
a lot of winning baseball. What is it about this
particular group that's been most satisfying to you and other
members of the front office.
Speaker 9 (16:24):
Oh, it's no doubt that it's the resiliency of this group.
I mean, we have been through a lot, whether it
was ten game losing streak, you know, the two pitchers
that went on administrative leave, some of the trade deadline
stuff that happened. Is we've had our ups and downs
as a team, and it has been amazing to me.
Even in some of the lowest of lows, the guys
(16:45):
never lost hope and that I think that optimism is
what has allowed us to just keep it going right
and we're trying to have as much fun as we can.
The vibe in the clubhouse is really light, and guys
aren't I think, are not putting too much of the
stress on themselves. It seems like it seems like they're
doing a great job just treating it like it's a
(17:05):
normal day, but enjoying the ride as long as we can.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
And when you look at it, your starting pitching in
both I know the bullpen's been leaned on a lot,
but it seems like starting pitching wise, even with some
innings exceeding career highs and innings your pitchers seem to
be throwing their best right now.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
It's been amazing to watch the evolution and growth for
this group.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Like you said, this is this group.
Speaker 9 (17:27):
All six of the starters are probably throwing their absolute
best right now, which has been really impressive to see.
We have the youngest pitching staff in baseball again and
you see in the second half, you know, we're in
the top one or two of all teams in our pitching.
So it has been phenomenal to watch some of these
young guys Slade Seconi, Parker Messick kind of you know,
we were concerned about our starting pitching going into the
(17:49):
year this year, frankly, and some of these young guys
have stepped up. We've seen guys like Gavin Williams really
take a huge step forward and combine as a group.
It has really carried us through the second half of
the year.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
It's been fun and there's still more baseball to be played,
meaningful baseball for the Guardians. Mike, thanks for coming by.
I appreciate it, of course. Thanks Rosie. That's Guardians general
manager Mike Chernoff. And when we come back, we'll visit
with catcher Austin Hedges, one of the big keys to
this ball club. That's next the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
(18:38):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where the Guardians are
taking on the Texas Rangers on this Saturday night. They
have a chance to clinch the American League's Central Division
titled for a second straight year. They'll need some help
if they win, they need some help in the afternoon
(18:58):
from the Boston Red Sox as a Tiger loss coupled
with a Guardian's win means the Guardians win the AL
Central Crown. Big reason why they're in this position. Austin
Hedges don't look at the stats offensively, although they are
improving as he gets deeper into the month of September.
But Hedges has been a backbone for this team in
(19:19):
terms of leadership, and when we caught up with them
earlier in the week, he said it would be a
great accomplishment for the Guardians to win the division, but
there's still a lot of work to do, and we
caught up with them with about five games remaining in
the regular season.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
Yeah, well, we haven't accomplished anything yet. As nice as
it is to be sitting at top of the division
right now, we never talked about winning division or anything
like that from the beginning of spring. It's about getting
into the playoffs. We just got to find a way
to get into the playoffs. And it's anybody's game because
our goal is to win a World Series. It's not
to win a division. It's not just to get into
the playoffs or make a nice run. It is to
(19:54):
win the whole thing. And we feel confident that this
is the group that can go do it. And you know,
just because it doesn't work out for a month or two,
or three or four doesn't mean you know, you can't
get hot at the right time, and a lot of
times the playoffs is about who's the hottest, and we're
getting hot at the right.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Time, and part of getting to the postseason was winning
last night and another step put in the words that
the atmosphere here a game against the Tigers, big game
on a Tuesday night, huge crowd shows up. What was
that like to be a part of that, And then
the game itself.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
I wasn't surprised at all. I knew when we you
know how big this series is, and these Cleveland fans
are so amazing, and the fact that all of them
showed out like we expected them to because they are
they're that good of fans, and the energy levels there.
They really willed us to go win that game, and
just it pumps the boys up and makes us excited
(20:53):
to have them all come out throughout October.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Two eighteen games in a row now where starting pitchers
have allowed to run or less. Uh, You've been a
part of some good pitching staff, so you've caught a
lot of good pictures. What's going on right now that's
allowed for that consistency every time out.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
I mean, it's it's it's always a testament to our
coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
And then and then the pitchers themselves, you know, our
our our guys in Carl Willis and Brad Goldberg and
Joe Torres they they work so hard every day to
you know. I mean, it's it's such a young group,
so they're still developing. Like it's not like these are
just you know, they're obviously big leaguers, but they're not
finished products, so they still have to keep getting better
(21:33):
and better. And how quickly they have become polished big
league starting pitchers, UH, is just it's so impressive and
it's really been the key to our success so far.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
And adjustments during the game. How did you help when
Gavin was going through some struggles there in the fourth inning,
was in a jam but worked out of it.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
Oh, I mean that that's all Gavin and UH and
Carl coming out for a mountain visit. He's always got
the perfect thing to say to to calm down Gavin,
to give me some guidance on what to call. You know,
he's such a great mentor for all of us. So
so both of them with their help, and and then
Gavin just went out and executed. And when Gavin's executing pitches, Uh,
(22:13):
he showed the world that he's one of the best
pitchers in the world.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Circling back to what has made this team special. I'm
not giving in when things were not going well mid
season or so. Kate Smith had mentioned it that You've
been a big key to keeping the focus and and
how are you able to do that? Maybe based on
past experience with good teams.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
I've been lucky enough to play this game for for
a long enough time where I've had some experiences that
that I've been able to learn from that I probably
failed at back in the day, and in failure can
be be the best lessons, you know, more than success.
So through a lot of those failures, I've learned some
some strategies. But it's just being consistent. It's just regardless
(22:56):
of wins or losses, playing good, playing bad, just being
the same every day and always bringing positive energy. And
positive energy is contagious, just like negative energy and whatever.
You know, If that positivity is outweighing the negativity, guys
start believing, guys start playing better. And we just got
such a great group of guys that all buy into
(23:17):
that belief in that positive energy. And the only way
you can really judge it is wins and losses, and
we're starting to show that it's starting to work.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
You're on a Texas team that had a pretty good
run late and ended up winning a World Series. Has
that helped you in this situation now, especially how far
back this team was and what they've had to do
late in the season.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
Yeah, I mean I said I've learned a lot from failure,
but winning a World Series being a part of that
group also showed kind of a roadmap of how to
do it, because it's one thing to fail, it's another
thing to actually finish the whole job. And if you haven't,
you know, been to a World Series or won a
World Series, you have an idea of how to win one,
but you don't actually know how to because you've never
(23:58):
done it before. Now I've got to see what a
group does when they pull together to actually do the
whole thing. And the stuff that I learned from that
year I've definitely taken into the last couple of years.
And it's nothing complicated, nothing, It's not rocket science, but
it doesn't make it easy. You know that continuous belief
and positive energy every single game, every day, every pitch
(24:22):
is really the recipe. Easier said than done, but it's
as simple as that.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
We'll see if the Guardians can pull off something really special. Austin.
Always great to have you on.
Speaker 7 (24:31):
Thank you thanks Erzie.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
That's Austin Hedges Guardians catcher and certainly one of the
team leaders on this ball club. You have to have
the good veterans in the clubhouse to go places, and
he certainly has been a big key for this year's team.
Another veteran works out of the bullpen is Jacob Junis
really pitching well in some key spots for the Guardians
in this incredible September run. And for him nine years
(24:54):
in the major leagues, this is ninth He's been with
several different teams including Kansas City Walkie, the Reds, the
Giants never been to the postseason, and he talked about
what it means to be counted on in crucial situations
with this team fighting for a playoff spot.
Speaker 10 (25:12):
You know, you just want to do your part and
hand it off to the next guy. And that's what
we've been doing down in the bullpen. A lot of
a lot of picking each other up and and a
lot of confidence in each other. And that was a
little a really big moment for me to to get
the job done in that situation the other night, and
uh I was pretty fired up about it.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
So he's interesting. I'll look back many months ago spring training,
what what you think might happen, how things eventually turn out.
And for you, uh, it seems like you've you've carved
out that good role here and had a really good
season and you've had a bunch of years in the
big leagues. Now, how has this one stacked up in
terms of the personal side and also team side?
Speaker 10 (25:46):
Uh, they're both up there towards the top. For me, man,
you know, to to not go on to I l
at all been healthy and available all season. That's that's Uh,
that's the name of the game. You know, it's just
being available for your team. So I'm really proud of that,
and probably the way I've thrown the ball, you know,
bouncing back from some not so good ones and going
on some good runs and just kind of rolling with
(26:07):
the punches and trying to stay positive and just going
out there and trying to do my job the best
I can every time, and you know, stack up those
little wins and you know, now we are here at
the last week of the season, and looking back, I'm
pretty proud of what I've done this year. So yeah,
I hope keeping.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Going Not knowing an organization when you signed here, being
new to the team. What's been the biggest help for
you and maybe a surprise to you, that's been really good.
I mean a lot of good resources here on the
pitching side of things. I think that's very well known
throughout the league that you know Carl and his team.
Speaker 10 (26:37):
Of guys, you know, Caleb and Joe and Brad. They
do a phenomenal job. And anytime I'm feeling a little
bit out of whack, I can go to any one
of those guys and they can kind of point me
in the right direction, get me back on track quick
and not let things compound. And you know, we had
a really good culture and team atmosphere here as well.
Wh's been a lot of fun to be a part of.
(26:58):
You know, a lot of young guys. Me being one
of the older ones, I've really enjoyed my time here.
A ton both's done a great job in an albia
of creating a good locker room here. Head just plays
a huge part in that. You know, we got some
some veteran guys that really really set the tone and
it's been a lot of fun. This this whole ride
that we've been on this last month has been something
(27:18):
really special that I've never really experienced in my career,
and I'm hoping that we can keep it going and
keep it going in October.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Guardians reliever Jacob Junas joining us. If you touched on
it alluded to it there just before the break, your
first opportunity to make the postseason. You've been on some
decent teams over your nine years in the big leagues.
What would it mean to you to finally get there
and pitch it in October?
Speaker 10 (27:41):
Yeah, it'd be awesome. You know, you have a lot
of a lot of goals that you want to kind
of check off before your career ends. And I've been
on some good teams, some teams that just missed out,
and I'm hoping that we can kind of get over
that homp there here now. And I really really enjoy
that opportunity to pop some bottles in the locker room
and celebrate and create some lifelong memories with these guys,
(28:03):
you know, and experience that playoff atmosphere. You know, I
hear nothing but crazy things about how awesome Cleveland can
be in October and be a lot of fun to
experience them.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
I was going to ask you, it seems like for
a lot of this good stretch the team's been on
the road, but now a chance to finish it at
home and how special do you think that could be?
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Yeah, that'd be awesome. To do it in front of
our home crowd would be I mean, you can't really
write it up any better, you know, with the stretch
we've been on, and to be able to do that
in front of our home crowd would be unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Jacob, keep it rolling. Thanks Left for coming. I appreciate it.
Speaker 11 (28:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Great story, Jacob Junis and again for him to be
able to reach the postseason for the first time at
this stage of his career, that would be something and
he certainly is looking forward to that if the Guardians
can take care of business this weekend. New to the team,
p d Halpit, the rookie outfielder, got the call last
weekend in Minneapolis, and he made his debut against the Twins.
(28:58):
We sat down with him this week asked him what
it was like to get that call and if he
was surprised at all with the team battling for a
playoff spot down the stretch.
Speaker 11 (29:07):
Yeah, you know, I was surprised, but you know, excited
is an understatement. I think I was, you know, more
ready to go than anything, and like excited to you know,
get out here and be with the guys and and
try to win some games.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
You know. And what a whirlwind you're You're coming up
from Columbus, you got some family coming in from the
West coast and then a date night doubleheader for all
of that for your major league debut. How did you
do at the end when it was all said and
done and you had some some game time under your belt.
Speaker 8 (29:35):
No, it was a crazy day.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
I think it was.
Speaker 11 (29:37):
It was really special to be able to watch, you know,
like the guys go out and play and it kind
of like, let me calm down a little big and
my nerves under control.
Speaker 8 (29:46):
And then you know, after the first bitch, it was
I felt like, you know, I was ready to go.
And then you know, yesterday, having the off day definitely helped.
Speaker 11 (29:54):
I went back to Columbus and packed up some stuff
and was able to breathe, and now, you know, I'm
just excited to be here and ready to go.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
You get that first hit out of the way in
your first game, second at bat. What was that feeling
like when you get to first base after a base
hit first time in the big leagues.
Speaker 8 (30:10):
Yeah, it's hard to explain.
Speaker 11 (30:11):
It just kind of blacked out, pointed to the dugout,
slapped my hands together, and you know, Sandy was telling
me what I needed a no base running.
Speaker 8 (30:17):
So it was quick. But looking back on it and
watching it a couple of times, it was it was
really cool.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Pete Halpin joining US Guardians outfielder Pete. Obviously everyone's path
is different. It never seems like it goes smoothly in
a straight line toward the major leagues. And how about
you in terms of overcoming some things, how did that
strengthen you along the way and prepare you for this
season to make a real good jump.
Speaker 11 (30:42):
Yeah, you know, just I've been with you know, the
Guardians my entire career and from the get go, like
they've been everyone in the organization has always been helpful
and like helping out the younger guys, like you know,
it's really a family and you get to be and
be with the big league team more than you think
and can you get to do all these things with
like unbelievable players and seeing them has always helped. And
(31:06):
you know, the coaching staff I've worked with my entire career,
so coming into this, it felt like I had known
everybody already and I was able to like just kind
of glide right in.
Speaker 8 (31:15):
And it's been a it's been a cool journey. But
I'm really excited to be here.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
And you get here when the team is in the
midst of an historic run that is hoping to end
in a postseason bid. Uh, How aware and how much
does everyone follow it at Columbus based on the amount
of players who've come up here and helped. How locked
in are you guys on what's going on up here?
Speaker 11 (31:36):
I mean, yeah, like all of our guys that come
up here like that I was playing with this year,
like we're all locked in on their bats. And seeing
the guys that like we're with us and then making
big at bats and big swings and games, it's like
it's so exciting and like you're you're everyone's rooting for
each other, and you know, I know that's how it'll
be for me, which is it's cool to know that
(31:57):
I have the support from those guys and you know,
it's awesome and I'm just ready for when, you know,
the next guy comes up and helps us out.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Congratulations, thanks for coming back.
Speaker 8 (32:07):
Awesome, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
It's rookie outfielder Pete Alpin, another product of the Guardian's
Farm system. And we'll check in with Vice president of
player Development Stephen Osterer with a minor league report that
comes your way. Next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, the.
Speaker 7 (32:26):
Post Career Day press conference PRONTI Progressive Yay, kay, can.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
You tell us what happened during career Day.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
I'm a biomedical researcher. The kids just weren't impressed.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
How did you feel when your son called in the backup?
Speaker 9 (32:35):
Embarrassed?
Speaker 1 (32:36):
And I knew it would be a fireman.
Speaker 4 (32:37):
It's always a fireman. It's a cliche, but a crowd favorite.
He had an accent everything.
Speaker 9 (32:41):
I can't compete with that.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
And will the fireman be helping your son with his
science for a project?
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Hope not.
Speaker 8 (32:46):
I'm literally a scientist.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Flanken or not.
Speaker 7 (32:49):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
protect your home in auto for there's a casial team
terms company, ahilios and other insovers no not available in
those states situations.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where The Guardians are
hosting the Texas Rangers tonight seven to fifteen. First pitch
regular season finale tomorrow afternoon Sunday afternoon at three ten.
Guardians opening to wrap things up tonight and make tomorrow
(33:37):
is kind of a throwaway type game to get to
the postseason, not with anything on the line. We'll see
as the Guardians have a chance to wrap it up tonight.
Stephen Osterer is the vice president of player development for
the Guardians and the minor league seasons are complete, but
development continues with the Arizona Fall League about to begin.
(33:58):
A late season injury for top prospect Travis Bizana will
keep him out of action in the Arizona Fall League,
although he was not going to go anyway, but his
recovery will take place both in Goodyear and at home,
and he'll be ready to go for next spring. Vice
president of player Development Steven Ostro says, despite that time
missed due to injury, it was still a year of
(34:20):
growth for Basana as he prepares for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 12 (34:25):
Yeah, I think the some of the adjustments to his
swinging and his approach were the things that we were
seeing leaning up to I guess you'd call the breakout
of the outcomes, you know, the underlying plate discipline, understanding
the strike zone and not you know, sticking to his approach.
We're really good first time in Columbus, especially to start,
and yeah, I think it's just been a bit of
(34:46):
an adjustment obviously to getting to the swing that he
wants to, but also understanding how pitchers are attacking him.
So this is part of going to that level and
seeing better pitching and maybe more advanced preparation from their
end to face you and then be able to execute
a game plan. And you're responding to that. And Travis
has done a really nice job of his approach and
adjusting to the level.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
So obviously it's a.
Speaker 12 (35:08):
Lot of fun see him hit the ball consistently.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Hard and out of the ballpark right now.
Speaker 12 (35:13):
But you know, there are a lot of the things
that we saw process wise and things that we're seeing
leading up.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
To this that we were really excited about too. All Right,
players who are going to participate in the Arizona Fall
League chase the lotter. Where is he at health wise
and how much can he play this fallout in Arizona.
Speaker 12 (35:29):
Yeah, he's doing well. Obviously, if you were to ask
Chase or anyone in our or at the beginning of
the year whether or not we're signing him up for
the AFL, we probably wouldn't have been very excited. But
you know, credit to Chase in obviously facing some of
the adversity that he has this year again and being
open and excited to actually participate in the Fall League.
(35:50):
So it's a good opportunity for him to get more reps.
You know, he's in Arizona, building out, being prepared for that.
So Chase is excited to go, and credit to him
for taking that mindset because, as you can imagine, repeating
that again is probably not something again he would have
signed up for it at the beginning of the year.
But yeah, he's ready to go.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
You have a picture of Trenton Denholm, who's who's had
a good season, and sometimes the Arizona Fall League you
can use to try something new, And he's gonna try
a knuckleball and see how it works in games And
how did that all develop for him and how far
along is he in terms of being ready to throw
it in game action.
Speaker 12 (36:24):
Yeah, so he's messing. He's messed around with it for
a long time. Yeah, kind of in catchplay. It's one
of those things that I think organically comes through where
no one is gonna come to a coach and just say, hey,
let me throw this knuckleball. They're gonna they're gonna mess
around with it and catch play and tell everyone how
nasty it is, and you know it. It was something
that initially we're like, Okay, maybe a year ago whatever, Trenton,
(36:48):
it's you know, this may not be a thing. But
as you see him throw it more and more, you're like, Okay,
this actually might be a real thing. And we got
to a point this year where, credit to Trendon Neat,
he wanted to try it out in the game. So,
you know, he's had a lot of success the last
couple of years as a starter for us and is
trying to compete every single night and was able to
actually pull that out in the game and has tried
(37:10):
to throw it, and obviously in season it's really hard
to commit to something like that and still try to
be competitive. So this is just a great opportunity for
him to get more reps and to see what he's
got with it, and perhaps it is a thing, perhaps
it isn't, but this will be a not portunding for
us to learn more about it.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
That's Vice president of Player Development, Stephen Osterer, and that's
going to do it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly.
And again we hope the Guardians are still playing baseball
next weekend. We don't know where, but hopefully they are
in the American League Division Series by that time, and
we will join you then for another edition of Guardians Weekly.
(37:49):
Always thanks to Brian Matze for putting together our show
each and every week, and until next week, this is
Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians
Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio netboard.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardian's Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive Helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Speaker 7 (38:58):
Sh
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhause along with
you this weekend as we join you from Progressive Field
in downtown Cleveland, last weekend of the regular season with
the Guardians still hoping for postseason play, and hopefully we'll
have another show for you next week while the team
is still playing, as it's Wildcard week next week, and
(01:13):
that appears to be where the Guardians are headed if
and when they do clinch a playoff berth. If you're
listening to this show on Saturday morning on the Guardians
Radio Network, Well, the Guardians can clinch the American League
Central Division crown today with a Tiger loss at Fenway
Park in the afternoon. Then the Guardians play tonight Saturday
(01:34):
night in downtown Cleveland against the Texas Rangers. If they win,
coupled with a Tiger defeat, the Guardians will clinch their
second consecutive American League Central Division crown and be slotted
in in the Wildcard round of the postseason because they'll
have the third best record of the division winners, and
they very well could play the Detroit Tigers in that
(01:56):
wildcard round. Coming up on our show this week, will
be joined by general manager Mike Chernoff, also catcher Austin Hedges,
relief pitcher Jacob Junis, and rookie outfielder p d Halpin,
as well as a minor league report from Vice president
of player Development Stephen Osterer. But first our weekend review
and man, it's been a fun week here in downtown
(02:17):
Cleveland at Progressive Field. The big series with the Tigers
started on Tuesday night. Great pitching matchup featuring cy Young
favorite Trek Skoubell against Guardians right hander Gavin Williams, and
the Tigers struck first, taking a one nothing lead in
the third inning, but otherwise Williams was dominant in this one.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Gavin Williams has had electric stuff tonight. He did have
to labor through a thirty two pitch inning in the fourth,
but left them loaded. The pitch swag and anscotam of
the slider eleven strikeouts, matching a season high.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Detroits Riley Green hit a solo blast in the top
half of the sixth inning to make it to nothing,
But then the Guardians offense got something going. In the
bottom of the sixth Stephen Kuan led off with a
bunt base hit. Then on help Martinez stepped in on.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Al Martinez, he bunts first base line picked up by
Scooble underhand between the lights, flip down.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
The right field line.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
In the follow ground Pierre nailed it, getting cute Tarrek
Scubel pretending he was an NFL center.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Instead of hiking.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
The ball at the quarterback, he hiked it to the
end zone and the Guardians catch a mammoth break. No
idea what Scuoble was thinking. But Kwan ends up at
third on hell Martinez at second, nobody out, and this
place is rocking now for Jose Ramirez patting right handed.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And then Jose Ramirez delivered to put Cleveland on the board.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
The O two to Ramirez swinging a jam job weekly hit,
the third McKinstry charges clubs no play and the stores
clawn and the third Martinez and a fifty foot single
for Jose Ramirez cuts the lead in a half.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
And is this simply how we have seen it all
month long.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Cleveland will scratch and claw their way and in this case,
Jose Ramirez, with a fifty foot jam job down the
third base line gets an Arbi single his eighty second.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
The next batter was David Frye, and I'm sure you've
seen it by now, a scary situation. He was hit
in the face with a fastball from Trek Scouble as
he was trying to get a bunt down, and that
really seemed to rattle Scooble. As you would imagine, he
struggled to find the plate and the Guardians took advantage.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Martinez at third, Ramirez at first. Nobody out two to
one Tigers in the bottom of the sixth and George
Valera awaits the pitch here it comes in.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
The dirty getaway from Dengler in the score the.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Time roun Martinez in the second is Ramirez, Well, then
you gotta believe that's a byproduct of Kerk's Scoobels still
being very shaken by what happened to David Frye, and
the Wild Pitches tied this game at two.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Next, a bock from schoobl moved Fromirez up to third,
and then Gabrielarius came through to one pitch.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Darius swung on a chapter the first up with the
Torquos and steps on the back Premiraz scars to go
ahead run.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
How about that Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Has scored three runs here against Trek on the sixth
innning on three BA sins and a Scoobal throwing air
and none of those base sits win any further than
forty five to fifty feet.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
What a wild sixth inning it was. And just the
medical update on David Fry. He did leave the field
on the cart and was taken immediately to Lutheran Hospital
downtown and then transferred over to the Cleveland Clinic and
was released the next day. But major facial fractures and
he'll have a six to eight week recovery before he's
(06:37):
okay and out for the season, as you would expect. Anyway,
back to the game, the Guardians added to their lead
in the seventh inning two on too out Daniel Steamen
at the plate.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Finnegan's ready.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Here's the two to two delivery, a swinging a light
right pasion in the center that'll score Headges.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Here comes Kun to score.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Steven's delivered a pitch at two run single to left center,
and Cleveland has a five to two lead.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
And this place is up for drafts.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So it was up to the bullpen to hold the lead,
and in the eighth Hunter Gaddis did just that. Here's
the cent here's the one too swinging and the neskcot
out of the sladder.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Gaddis strikes out the side.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Cleveland pitching has struck out seventeen of the twenty.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Four outs, and then Kate Smith came on trying to
save it. In the ninth.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Tigers down to their last strike and Cleveland will not
only move into a tie for first, but they'll own
the season, series and the tiebreaker.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Here's the pitch swung online.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
To third Talk by Raverez Paul Game the Guardians take
over the Central Division lead. They beat the Detroit Tigers
five to two. They win the seats and series with
this victory. Thus the records are the same, but Cleveland's
actually in first and Detroit is in second. Guardians win
(08:11):
Game one, five to two.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I want to win for the Guardians as they moved
into a first place tie record wise. Wednesday, again, the
Tigers the opponent Game two of the series, and Detroit
took the lead, scoring a run in the top half
of the third inning, but that didn't last long. As
in the bottom of the inning, Brian Rochio led off
with a double and George Valera stepped in.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Infield in for the rookie Malaria struck out his first time,
Flarity attacked him with a breaking ball. This pitch hit
a ton deep center field.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
It is.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
George Valera has put the Guardians on top two to
one on a towering hoverness, his second major league home run,
giving him five army eyes. And this is how you
(09:12):
just keep attacking the team you're trying to chase down.
As soon as Detroit gets a little momentum, Cleveland snaps
it back.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
In the fifth again, it was Rochio getting it started
with a base hit. He stole second to get into
scoring position for Stephen Kwan. Kwan's been terrific with men
in scoring position, hitting three point thirty six on the year.
Coming in the.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
Three to one, swung on line drive left center field
head it gets down for a base hit, rounding third.
Scoring is Rochio on another Harvei single for Stephen Kwan,
this time the left center and the Guardians take a
three to one League one quant so tough with men
(10:02):
in scoring position, he now has fifty six runs batted
in and the Guardians have opened up a two run advantage,
and on the mountd Tanner, Biby continued to record a
stretch of starts by Cleveland pitchers that would produce a record.
They're on their feet again. Here at the corner of
Carnegiean and Ontario. Three to one Cleveland runner at first,
(10:25):
two down, Biby, He's ready. Here's the two to two
to wind Cell pels God, I'm swinging on a curveball
in the dirt. Nailor digs it out, tags them out.
Five strikeouts for Biby and another roaring standing ovation as
(10:47):
Bibby and Cleveland come to the third base, dugout three
to one Cleveland in the middle of the sixth.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
In the seventh, the Guardians were trying to add a
little more insurance. They loaded the bases with two outs
and it Jose Ramirez delivering in the clutch again, one.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Into the count. Here's the pitch swung and smash.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
To right pace hat.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Here comes sneaping to score. Here comes helping to score
in the second. Rama's head first slide.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
And stopping at third is Rokio.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Jose Rameez delivers again and Cleveland with up five to one,
land here. In the seventh inning, a shut to right,
they glanced off the glove of Torres and Jose. He
turned it into a hustle double and the choir at
Carnagian Ontario takes over.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
In the eighth, Jacob Junis continued his impressive stretch out
of the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
The pit swung on and miss got him to chase
the slinder down and away. Tortel sent out swinging Junas
with a one, two, three, eight, five to one Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Junas then retired the first two Tiger hitters in the
ninth before giving up a base hit and turn it
over to Kate Smith to finish the job.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
The seventh pitch swing in a Q shot towards second.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Rochio Clubs throws ballgame.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
And Cleveland's incredible September continues to march on five to one,
Cleveland the winner over Detroit as they hand the Tigers
their eighth consecutive defeat.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So the Guardians now led the Central Division by a
game plus the tiebreaker, and that came into play Thursday,
as the Tigers salvaged the finale of the series with
a four to two win, so they leave town with
the same record, but again The Guardians have that advantage
due to winning the season series, and that came in
to play again on Friday as the Rangers came in
(13:01):
and defeated Cleveland seven to three, but Detroit lost at
Fenway Park in Boston and walk off fashion for the
Red Sox. And that means the Guardian's head into place Saturday,
still in first place in the AL Central. Stay with us,
want we come back, We'll hear from general manager Mike Chernoff.
That's next the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
The post crib assembly Prescotfredson brought you Progressive. Michael. You
had some trouble putting.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
The crib together today?
Speaker 4 (13:31):
What went wrong?
Speaker 7 (13:32):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
He said, when your wife pulled you and called in
the backup.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes, You've got a changing table
to put together. Next, it's got a lot of drawers.
What's your coming it?
Speaker 8 (13:46):
We're done here, like it or not.
Speaker 7 (13:48):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
protect your home. In Auto Progress a cash team, Jermans
Company Affiliates and other inn churis not available in those
states of situations.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Guardians Weekly continues from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. Jim
Rosenhouse along with you this weekend as the Guardians are
taking on the Rangers the final series of the regular season,
and Cleveland trying to nail down a postseason birth and
make sure that there's more baseball next week as the
postseason begins on Tuesday. Mike churn Off is the Guardians
(14:28):
general manager. We had a chance to catch up with
him recently, and what a September it's been for Cleveland.
Nothing new though, if you go back to the Terry
Francona era, Cleveland has always seemed to play their best
baseball down the stretch. And when we caught up a journey,
he talked about some of the keys to playing winning
baseball in the final month of a long regular season.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (14:49):
I mean, look, there's no magic formula, and you can't
control for the timing of when a team is going
to come together. But I do think the daily process
that you see here, preparation that we do, and the
consistency that we have in our pregame work every day,
I think sets us up well to do very well
in the second half of the year. And we've seen
that over the years, both under Tito and now especially
(15:12):
under Voter. Our guys are locked in on their pregame routines.
We don't ever let that up first game of a series.
It is hours and hours of meetings and then on
field work, and I think that prepares us to be
as consistent as possible and prepared for whatever could happen
in the second half of the year.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Now you have to have the player buy in on that.
Not every team does, I don't think, and you can
get some pushback, I would imagine, but it seems like
there is that good player buy in. And where does
that come from?
Speaker 7 (15:40):
You think, yeah, no.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Doubt about it.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
That starts with Jose Ramirez. I mean, when Jose is
willing to put in the pregame work that he does,
it's hard for anybody to say that they shouldn't do
it too. So it absolutely starts with some star players
like that who are willing to do it and who
understand the benefits of it. And then I think, like
I said, I think it is a coaching staff that
puts in the time, has the consistency of routine where
(16:04):
guys just show up to the field and their default
routine is they know exactly what they have to get done,
they get their work done, and then they come back
in and prepare for the game.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
We don't know what the endgame to this is going
to be, but certainly it's been a really fun September,
a lot of winning baseball. What is it about this
particular group that's been most satisfying to you and other
members of the front office.
Speaker 9 (16:24):
Oh, it's no doubt that it's the resiliency of this group.
I mean, we have been through a lot, whether it
was ten game losing streak, you know, the two pitchers
that went on administrative leave, some of the trade deadline
stuff that happened. Is we've had our ups and downs
as a team, and it has been amazing to me.
Even in some of the lowest of lows, the guys
(16:45):
never lost hope and that I think that optimism is
what has allowed us to just keep it going right
and we're trying to have as much fun as we can.
The vibe in the clubhouse is really light, and guys
aren't I think, are not putting too much of the
stress on themselves. It seems like it seems like they're
doing a great job just treating it like it's a
(17:05):
normal day, but enjoying the ride as long as we can.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
And when you look at it, your starting pitching in
both I know the bullpen's been leaned on a lot,
but it seems like starting pitching wise, even with some
innings exceeding career highs and innings your pitchers seem to
be throwing their best right now.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
It's been amazing to watch the evolution and growth for
this group.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Like you said, this is this group.
Speaker 9 (17:27):
All six of the starters are probably throwing their absolute
best right now, which has been really impressive to see.
We have the youngest pitching staff in baseball again and
you see in the second half, you know, we're in
the top one or two of all teams in our pitching.
So it has been phenomenal to watch some of these
young guys Slade Seconi, Parker Messick kind of you know,
we were concerned about our starting pitching going into the
(17:49):
year this year, frankly, and some of these young guys
have stepped up. We've seen guys like Gavin Williams really
take a huge step forward and combine as a group.
It has really carried us through the second half of
the year.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
It's been fun and there's still more baseball to be played,
meaningful baseball for the Guardians. Mike, thanks for coming by.
I appreciate it, of course. Thanks Rosie. That's Guardians general
manager Mike Chernoff. And when we come back, we'll visit
with catcher Austin Hedges, one of the big keys to
this ball club. That's next the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
(18:38):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where the Guardians are
taking on the Texas Rangers on this Saturday night. They
have a chance to clinch the American League's Central Division
titled for a second straight year. They'll need some help
if they win, they need some help in the afternoon
(18:58):
from the Boston Red Sox as a Tiger loss coupled
with a Guardian's win means the Guardians win the AL
Central Crown. Big reason why they're in this position. Austin
Hedges don't look at the stats offensively, although they are
improving as he gets deeper into the month of September.
But Hedges has been a backbone for this team in
(19:19):
terms of leadership, and when we caught up with them
earlier in the week, he said it would be a
great accomplishment for the Guardians to win the division, but
there's still a lot of work to do, and we
caught up with them with about five games remaining in
the regular season.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
Yeah, well, we haven't accomplished anything yet. As nice as
it is to be sitting at top of the division
right now, we never talked about winning division or anything
like that from the beginning of spring. It's about getting
into the playoffs. We just got to find a way
to get into the playoffs. And it's anybody's game because
our goal is to win a World Series. It's not
to win a division. It's not just to get into
the playoffs or make a nice run. It is to
(19:54):
win the whole thing. And we feel confident that this
is the group that can go do it. And you know,
just because it doesn't work out for a month or two,
or three or four doesn't mean you know, you can't
get hot at the right time, and a lot of
times the playoffs is about who's the hottest, and we're
getting hot at the right.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Time, and part of getting to the postseason was winning
last night and another step put in the words that
the atmosphere here a game against the Tigers, big game
on a Tuesday night, huge crowd shows up. What was
that like to be a part of that, And then
the game itself.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
I wasn't surprised at all. I knew when we you
know how big this series is, and these Cleveland fans
are so amazing, and the fact that all of them
showed out like we expected them to because they are
they're that good of fans, and the energy levels there.
They really willed us to go win that game, and
just it pumps the boys up and makes us excited
(20:53):
to have them all come out throughout October.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Two eighteen games in a row now where starting pitchers
have allowed to run or less. Uh, You've been a
part of some good pitching staff, so you've caught a
lot of good pictures. What's going on right now that's
allowed for that consistency every time out.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
I mean, it's it's it's always a testament to our
coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:12):
And then and then the pitchers themselves, you know, our
our our guys in Carl Willis and Brad Goldberg and
Joe Torres they they work so hard every day to
you know. I mean, it's it's such a young group,
so they're still developing. Like it's not like these are
just you know, they're obviously big leaguers, but they're not
finished products, so they still have to keep getting better
(21:33):
and better. And how quickly they have become polished big
league starting pitchers, UH, is just it's so impressive and
it's really been the key to our success so far.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
And adjustments during the game. How did you help when
Gavin was going through some struggles there in the fourth inning,
was in a jam but worked out of it.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
Oh, I mean that that's all Gavin and UH and
Carl coming out for a mountain visit. He's always got
the perfect thing to say to to calm down Gavin,
to give me some guidance on what to call. You know,
he's such a great mentor for all of us. So
so both of them with their help, and and then
Gavin just went out and executed. And when Gavin's executing pitches, Uh,
(22:13):
he showed the world that he's one of the best
pitchers in the world.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Circling back to what has made this team special. I'm
not giving in when things were not going well mid
season or so. Kate Smith had mentioned it that You've
been a big key to keeping the focus and and
how are you able to do that? Maybe based on
past experience with good teams.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
I've been lucky enough to play this game for for
a long enough time where I've had some experiences that
that I've been able to learn from that I probably
failed at back in the day, and in failure can
be be the best lessons, you know, more than success.
So through a lot of those failures, I've learned some
some strategies. But it's just being consistent. It's just regardless
(22:56):
of wins or losses, playing good, playing bad, just being
the same every day and always bringing positive energy. And
positive energy is contagious, just like negative energy and whatever.
You know, If that positivity is outweighing the negativity, guys
start believing, guys start playing better. And we just got
such a great group of guys that all buy into
(23:17):
that belief in that positive energy. And the only way
you can really judge it is wins and losses, and
we're starting to show that it's starting to work.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
You're on a Texas team that had a pretty good
run late and ended up winning a World Series. Has
that helped you in this situation now, especially how far
back this team was and what they've had to do
late in the season.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
Yeah, I mean I said I've learned a lot from failure,
but winning a World Series being a part of that
group also showed kind of a roadmap of how to
do it, because it's one thing to fail, it's another
thing to actually finish the whole job. And if you haven't,
you know, been to a World Series or won a
World Series, you have an idea of how to win one,
but you don't actually know how to because you've never
(23:58):
done it before. Now I've got to see what a
group does when they pull together to actually do the
whole thing. And the stuff that I learned from that
year I've definitely taken into the last couple of years.
And it's nothing complicated, nothing, It's not rocket science, but
it doesn't make it easy. You know that continuous belief
and positive energy every single game, every day, every pitch
(24:22):
is really the recipe. Easier said than done, but it's
as simple as that.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
We'll see if the Guardians can pull off something really special. Austin.
Always great to have you on.
Speaker 7 (24:31):
Thank you thanks Erzie.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
That's Austin Hedges Guardians catcher and certainly one of the
team leaders on this ball club. You have to have
the good veterans in the clubhouse to go places, and
he certainly has been a big key for this year's team.
Another veteran works out of the bullpen is Jacob Junis
really pitching well in some key spots for the Guardians
in this incredible September run. And for him nine years
(24:54):
in the major leagues, this is ninth He's been with
several different teams including Kansas City Walkie, the Reds, the
Giants never been to the postseason, and he talked about
what it means to be counted on in crucial situations
with this team fighting for a playoff spot.
Speaker 10 (25:12):
You know, you just want to do your part and
hand it off to the next guy. And that's what
we've been doing down in the bullpen. A lot of
a lot of picking each other up and and a
lot of confidence in each other. And that was a
little a really big moment for me to to get
the job done in that situation the other night, and
uh I was pretty fired up about it.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
So he's interesting. I'll look back many months ago spring training,
what what you think might happen, how things eventually turn out.
And for you, uh, it seems like you've you've carved
out that good role here and had a really good
season and you've had a bunch of years in the
big leagues. Now, how has this one stacked up in
terms of the personal side and also team side?
Speaker 10 (25:46):
Uh, they're both up there towards the top. For me, man,
you know, to to not go on to I l
at all been healthy and available all season. That's that's Uh,
that's the name of the game. You know, it's just
being available for your team. So I'm really proud of that,
and probably the way I've thrown the ball, you know,
bouncing back from some not so good ones and going
on some good runs and just kind of rolling with
(26:07):
the punches and trying to stay positive and just going
out there and trying to do my job the best
I can every time, and you know, stack up those
little wins and you know, now we are here at
the last week of the season, and looking back, I'm
pretty proud of what I've done this year. So yeah,
I hope keeping.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Going Not knowing an organization when you signed here, being
new to the team. What's been the biggest help for
you and maybe a surprise to you, that's been really good.
I mean a lot of good resources here on the
pitching side of things. I think that's very well known
throughout the league that you know Carl and his team.
Speaker 10 (26:37):
Of guys, you know, Caleb and Joe and Brad. They
do a phenomenal job. And anytime I'm feeling a little
bit out of whack, I can go to any one
of those guys and they can kind of point me
in the right direction, get me back on track quick
and not let things compound. And you know, we had
a really good culture and team atmosphere here as well.
Wh's been a lot of fun to be a part of.
(26:58):
You know, a lot of young guys. Me being one
of the older ones, I've really enjoyed my time here.
A ton both's done a great job in an albia
of creating a good locker room here. Head just plays
a huge part in that. You know, we got some
some veteran guys that really really set the tone and
it's been a lot of fun. This this whole ride
that we've been on this last month has been something
(27:18):
really special that I've never really experienced in my career,
and I'm hoping that we can keep it going and
keep it going in October.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Guardians reliever Jacob Junas joining us. If you touched on
it alluded to it there just before the break, your
first opportunity to make the postseason. You've been on some
decent teams over your nine years in the big leagues.
What would it mean to you to finally get there
and pitch it in October?
Speaker 10 (27:41):
Yeah, it'd be awesome. You know, you have a lot
of a lot of goals that you want to kind
of check off before your career ends. And I've been
on some good teams, some teams that just missed out,
and I'm hoping that we can kind of get over
that homp there here now. And I really really enjoy
that opportunity to pop some bottles in the locker room
and celebrate and create some lifelong memories with these guys,
(28:03):
you know, and experience that playoff atmosphere. You know, I
hear nothing but crazy things about how awesome Cleveland can
be in October and be a lot of fun to
experience them.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
I was going to ask you, it seems like for
a lot of this good stretch the team's been on
the road, but now a chance to finish it at
home and how special do you think that could be?
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Yeah, that'd be awesome. To do it in front of
our home crowd would be I mean, you can't really
write it up any better, you know, with the stretch
we've been on, and to be able to do that
in front of our home crowd would be unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Jacob, keep it rolling. Thanks Left for coming. I appreciate it.
Speaker 11 (28:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Great story, Jacob Junis and again for him to be
able to reach the postseason for the first time at
this stage of his career, that would be something and
he certainly is looking forward to that if the Guardians
can take care of business this weekend. New to the team,
p d Halpit, the rookie outfielder, got the call last
weekend in Minneapolis, and he made his debut against the Twins.
(28:58):
We sat down with him this week asked him what
it was like to get that call and if he
was surprised at all with the team battling for a
playoff spot down the stretch.
Speaker 11 (29:07):
Yeah, you know, I was surprised, but you know, excited
is an understatement. I think I was, you know, more
ready to go than anything, and like excited to you know,
get out here and be with the guys and and
try to win some games.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
You know. And what a whirlwind you're You're coming up
from Columbus, you got some family coming in from the
West coast and then a date night doubleheader for all
of that for your major league debut. How did you
do at the end when it was all said and
done and you had some some game time under your belt.
Speaker 8 (29:35):
No, it was a crazy day.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
I think it was.
Speaker 11 (29:37):
It was really special to be able to watch, you know,
like the guys go out and play and it kind
of like, let me calm down a little big and
my nerves under control.
Speaker 8 (29:46):
And then you know, after the first bitch, it was
I felt like, you know, I was ready to go.
And then you know, yesterday, having the off day definitely helped.
Speaker 11 (29:54):
I went back to Columbus and packed up some stuff
and was able to breathe, and now, you know, I'm
just excited to be here and ready to go.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
You get that first hit out of the way in
your first game, second at bat. What was that feeling
like when you get to first base after a base
hit first time in the big leagues.
Speaker 8 (30:10):
Yeah, it's hard to explain.
Speaker 11 (30:11):
It just kind of blacked out, pointed to the dugout,
slapped my hands together, and you know, Sandy was telling
me what I needed a no base running.
Speaker 8 (30:17):
So it was quick. But looking back on it and
watching it a couple of times, it was it was
really cool.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Pete Halpin joining US Guardians outfielder Pete. Obviously everyone's path
is different. It never seems like it goes smoothly in
a straight line toward the major leagues. And how about
you in terms of overcoming some things, how did that
strengthen you along the way and prepare you for this
season to make a real good jump.
Speaker 11 (30:42):
Yeah, you know, just I've been with you know, the
Guardians my entire career and from the get go, like
they've been everyone in the organization has always been helpful
and like helping out the younger guys, like you know,
it's really a family and you get to be and
be with the big league team more than you think
and can you get to do all these things with
like unbelievable players and seeing them has always helped. And
(31:06):
you know, the coaching staff I've worked with my entire career,
so coming into this, it felt like I had known
everybody already and I was able to like just kind
of glide right in.
Speaker 8 (31:15):
And it's been a it's been a cool journey. But
I'm really excited to be here.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
And you get here when the team is in the
midst of an historic run that is hoping to end
in a postseason bid. Uh, How aware and how much
does everyone follow it at Columbus based on the amount
of players who've come up here and helped. How locked
in are you guys on what's going on up here?
Speaker 11 (31:36):
I mean, yeah, like all of our guys that come
up here like that I was playing with this year,
like we're all locked in on their bats. And seeing
the guys that like we're with us and then making
big at bats and big swings and games, it's like
it's so exciting and like you're you're everyone's rooting for
each other, and you know, I know that's how it'll
be for me, which is it's cool to know that
(31:57):
I have the support from those guys and you know,
it's awesome and I'm just ready for when, you know,
the next guy comes up and helps us out.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Congratulations, thanks for coming back.
Speaker 8 (32:07):
Awesome, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
It's rookie outfielder Pete Alpin, another product of the Guardian's
Farm system. And we'll check in with Vice president of
player Development Stephen Osterer with a minor league report that
comes your way. Next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, the.
Speaker 7 (32:26):
Post Career Day press conference PRONTI Progressive Yay, kay, can.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
You tell us what happened during career Day.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
I'm a biomedical researcher. The kids just weren't impressed.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
How did you feel when your son called in the backup?
Speaker 9 (32:35):
Embarrassed?
Speaker 1 (32:36):
And I knew it would be a fireman.
Speaker 4 (32:37):
It's always a fireman. It's a cliche, but a crowd favorite.
He had an accent everything.
Speaker 9 (32:41):
I can't compete with that.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
And will the fireman be helping your son with his
science for a project?
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Hope not.
Speaker 8 (32:46):
I'm literally a scientist.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Flanken or not.
Speaker 7 (32:49):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
protect your home in auto for there's a casial team
terms company, ahilios and other insovers no not available in
those states situations.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where The Guardians are
hosting the Texas Rangers tonight seven to fifteen. First pitch
regular season finale tomorrow afternoon Sunday afternoon at three ten.
Guardians opening to wrap things up tonight and make tomorrow
(33:37):
is kind of a throwaway type game to get to
the postseason, not with anything on the line. We'll see
as the Guardians have a chance to wrap it up tonight.
Stephen Osterer is the vice president of player development for
the Guardians and the minor league seasons are complete, but
development continues with the Arizona Fall League about to begin.
(33:58):
A late season injury for top prospect Travis Bizana will
keep him out of action in the Arizona Fall League,
although he was not going to go anyway, but his
recovery will take place both in Goodyear and at home,
and he'll be ready to go for next spring. Vice
president of player Development Steven Ostro says, despite that time
missed due to injury, it was still a year of
(34:20):
growth for Basana as he prepares for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 12 (34:25):
Yeah, I think the some of the adjustments to his
swinging and his approach were the things that we were
seeing leaning up to I guess you'd call the breakout
of the outcomes, you know, the underlying plate discipline, understanding
the strike zone and not you know, sticking to his approach.
We're really good first time in Columbus, especially to start,
and yeah, I think it's just been a bit of
(34:46):
an adjustment obviously to getting to the swing that he
wants to, but also understanding how pitchers are attacking him.
So this is part of going to that level and
seeing better pitching and maybe more advanced preparation from their
end to face you and then be able to execute
a game plan. And you're responding to that. And Travis
has done a really nice job of his approach and
adjusting to the level.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
So obviously it's a.
Speaker 12 (35:08):
Lot of fun see him hit the ball consistently.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Hard and out of the ballpark right now.
Speaker 12 (35:13):
But you know, there are a lot of the things
that we saw process wise and things that we're seeing
leading up.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
To this that we were really excited about too. All Right,
players who are going to participate in the Arizona Fall
League chase the lotter. Where is he at health wise
and how much can he play this fallout in Arizona.
Speaker 12 (35:29):
Yeah, he's doing well. Obviously, if you were to ask
Chase or anyone in our or at the beginning of
the year whether or not we're signing him up for
the AFL, we probably wouldn't have been very excited. But
you know, credit to Chase in obviously facing some of
the adversity that he has this year again and being
open and excited to actually participate in the Fall League.
(35:50):
So it's a good opportunity for him to get more reps.
You know, he's in Arizona, building out, being prepared for that.
So Chase is excited to go, and credit to him
for taking that mindset because, as you can imagine, repeating
that again is probably not something again he would have
signed up for it at the beginning of the year.
But yeah, he's ready to go.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
You have a picture of Trenton Denholm, who's who's had
a good season, and sometimes the Arizona Fall League you
can use to try something new, And he's gonna try
a knuckleball and see how it works in games And
how did that all develop for him and how far
along is he in terms of being ready to throw
it in game action.
Speaker 12 (36:24):
Yeah, so he's messing. He's messed around with it for
a long time. Yeah, kind of in catchplay. It's one
of those things that I think organically comes through where
no one is gonna come to a coach and just say, hey,
let me throw this knuckleball. They're gonna they're gonna mess
around with it and catch play and tell everyone how
nasty it is, and you know it. It was something
that initially we're like, Okay, maybe a year ago whatever, Trenton,
(36:48):
it's you know, this may not be a thing. But
as you see him throw it more and more, you're like, Okay,
this actually might be a real thing. And we got
to a point this year where, credit to Trendon Neat,
he wanted to try it out in the game. So,
you know, he's had a lot of success the last
couple of years as a starter for us and is
trying to compete every single night and was able to
actually pull that out in the game and has tried
(37:10):
to throw it, and obviously in season it's really hard
to commit to something like that and still try to
be competitive. So this is just a great opportunity for
him to get more reps and to see what he's
got with it, and perhaps it is a thing, perhaps
it isn't, but this will be a not portunding for
us to learn more about it.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
That's Vice president of Player Development, Stephen Osterer, and that's
going to do it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly.
And again we hope the Guardians are still playing baseball
next weekend. We don't know where, but hopefully they are
in the American League Division Series by that time, and
we will join you then for another edition of Guardians Weekly.
(37:49):
Always thanks to Brian Matze for putting together our show
each and every week, and until next week, this is
Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians
Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio netboard.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardian's Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive Helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Speaker 7 (38:58):
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