3 things we learned about the Cleveland Guardians this past weekend

Still can’t hit enough

The Cleveland Guardians were outhit 29-23 in this past weekend's series. With that in mind, it is no surprise to see them drop two of three games to a clearly inferior White Sox team. It is not just the fact that they were outhit in the series, it is the fact that Chicago was able to register double-digit hits in two of the three games. In comparison, Cleveland has not managed 10 or more hits in a game since July 27th a span of nine games. Coincidentally, this was against the very same White Sox team they just faced.

This is not incredibly surprising considering how much the Guardians have struggled at the plate this season. While Cleveland has managed to get into the middle of the pack in the batting average department, (.251 being tied for 15th win Cincinnati) and hits (15th with 957), they are below average in on-base percentage (.314 is tied for 21st), slugging percentage (.382 is 27th), and OPS. (.696 ranks 25th.

The team may have had a hot stretch or month during the year, but usually, it is the season numbers that win out in the end. A couple of whiffs in free agency in addition to underperforming players and a questionable at-best batting order at times have all contributed to the Guardians being where they are. Expect these numbers to tumble without Josh Naylor and Jose Ramirez in the lineup due to their respective injury status and impending suspension. This will only make winning games much more difficult down the stretch, resulting in the Twins growing their division lead.