Guardians become depressing meme vs. Tigers as same pitcher ends 2nd straight season

The 2024 Cleveland Guardians were nothing like the 2025 edition - at least, not for the vast majority of the campaign. Last year's Guardians were a dominant, but small ball of gas, growing more inevitable by the day. They were powered by an impenetrable bullpen and a thousand cuts. This year's team was dealt body blow after body blow. Their bullpen leaked. Their closer disappeared. Their rotation swapped pieces in and out. And yet, even a 15.5-game AL Central deficit was somehow not enough to kill them.

Depressingly, both seasons, so gleeful at their peaks, have managed to end in the exact same manner: with a Hunter Gaddis meltdown in an essential postseason game.

Last year, Gaddis felt impenetrable until the Yankees wore him down in the ALCS and Juan Soto took the final shot. This season, he woke up on Opening Day worn down, and things only got worse as the taxing campaign dragged on. His 1.57 ERA "ballooned" to 3.11. He allowed just 43 hits in 74 2/3 regular-season innings last year; in 2025, he was "downright hittable," getting knocked around for 58 in 66 2/3.

And, on Thursday, entrusted to continue to walk the tightrope against the RISP-challenged Tigers and hand the baton to ... well, somebody, Gaddis entered down a run with runners on second and third and nobody out, charged to Erik Sabrowski. He retired Gleyber Torres - miracle - before intentionally walking Kerry Carpenter.

Then, of course, the universe ate itself whole. Wenceel Pérez, one of the worst No. 3 hitters in the game, plated two with a single. Spencer Torkelson singled. Riley Greene singled. The game spiraled to 6-1, tightened somewhat to 6-3 when Tigers closer Will Vest flubbed a feed, but ended right there with very little ninth-inning fanfare.

And, when it ended, every Guardians fan looked a lot like this guy, who has somehow already become the enduring image of one of the most impressive playoff charges in MLB history.

Hunter Gaddis, Cleveland Guardians see late meltdown end season vs. Detroit Tigers

It would've been nice if the Wild Card opponent was someone other than the team Cleveland had just tracked down.

It would've been nice if the bullpen hadn't been run ragged.

It would've been nice if the lineup had been reinforced earlier rather than asked to fend for itself.

Nope. Face palm.

Guardians fans will see you in droves next season. One can only hope the group that takes the field on Opening Day feels slightly more whole.