3 Guardians players who need to have a hot start to 2026

We're less than a week away from Opening Day, which means the Guardians are set to begin their quest to three-peat as American League Central Champions. While some people are once again counting them out once again, it's hard to overlook the success they've had over the past two seasons.

That said, if they want to win another division title, they're going to need to come out of the gates in their series against the Mariners and Dodgers. Here are three players who could determine whether or not the Guardians start the season on the right foot.

The Guardians have a tough opening week of the season

Tanner Bibee

While Bibee struggled last season, it seems like he's ready to step up and return to ace status in 2026.

Bibee finished last year a 12-11 record and4.14 ERA in 182 1/3 innings of work. Althought he did manage to strike out 162 batters over the course of the season, he was pretty inconsistent.

Bibee was lights out over his first two seasons and combined for a 3.25 ERA with 328 strikeouts in 315 2/3 innings, and him re-finding that form early in the season would go a long way to helping him build back his confidence.

Chase DeLauter

At this point, it's safe to assume that everyone in the Guardians' organization is hoping Delauter can stay healthy and make a massive impact in 2026. He's done just that so far at spring training, as he's 11-for-28 with home run and six RBI. with a .393/.433/.643 slashline.

His eye at the plate, plus his power potential, is something that has everyone buzzing in Cleveland. It seems like DeLauter is going to make the Guardians' Opening Day roster and it likely won't take long for him to make a positive impression.

DeLauter getting off to a hot start could help the Guardians in a variety of ways. His power and extra-base hit potential would give Stephen Vogt some protection around José Ramírez.

Kyle Manzardo

While DeLauter has a ton of power potential, Manzardo has spent most of the past two seasons showing the Guardians exactly how much power he has. A hot start from him could go a long way toward the Guardians' lineup being even better in 2026.

While Manzardo did hit 27 home runs last season, he struck out 135 times and hit just .234. There's some clear improvement needed so that way he doesn't become an unbalanced power hitter.

The Guardian asked him to put on some muscle in the offseason and he answered the call, so there's a good chance he could flirt with the 30 home run mark this season.

Although Manzardo will be in a platoon at first base with Rhys Hoskins, he should still be in the lineup almost everyday.