Guardians capture series win in Kansas City without their best player

The Cleveland Guardians entered Sunday's contest in Kansas City with a chance to secure an opening series win over the Royals. The two teams split the first two games of the series, setting up the rubber match on the final day of the weekend. Unfortunately, Cleveland would be going into this game shorthanded.

Jose Ramirez sustained a wrist injury in Saturday's loss in Kansas City, and as a result, the Guardians kept him out of the lineup for the series finale. Even without their perennial All-Star and AL MVP candidate, Cleveland captured the series victory, winning by a score of 6-2.

Cleveland's offense was powered by home runs coming from Kyle Manzardo, Gabriel Arias, and Daniel Schneemann. It was Manzardo's second of the season, while Arias and Schneemann hit their first of the year. Arias was starting in place of the sidelined Ramirez and would finish the game 2-3 with two RBI, a more than welcome contribution from an unexpected source.

On the mound, it was Tanner Bibee who kept Kansas City's offense off the scoreboard. Bibee would allow just two hits while walking two others in 5.2 innings of work. This was the longest start by a Guardians starter through their first three games, with Ben Lively and Gavin Williams both pitching 5.0 innings. It is still very early in the season, and it is going to take some time before starters begin going deeper into games on a regular basis, so this is nothing really to be concerned about yet. Bibee nearly being able to complete the 6th is a step in the right direction. The next is for him, and others, for that matter, to complete the 6th and go even further.

There is something to be said about this team being able to win without Ramirez in the lineup. It shows that the Guardians are a more complete team than people thought when entering the season. It also is proof that some of the younger players in Cleveland's supporting cast have taken a notable step forward in their development and could be the productive complementary hitters this team needs to be successful.

Next up for the Guardians will be a highly competitive series in San Diego as they are set to take on the Padres for a three-game set at Petco Park.