Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber dominant in second consecutive start

Shutting down the Oakland Athletics? That is somewhat expected. It is not a good lineup, and the organization is making some baffling decisions, which include sending down one of their better-performing players to start the season. But continuing the domination of an Oakland lineup into a start in Seattle against a vastly superior Mariners team is an impressive feat, and that is exactly what Shane Bieber did on Tuesday night in Cleveland's 5-2 win.

The Ace of the Cleveland Guardians pitching staff limited the Mariners to just six hits in 6 innings, striking out nine along the way, bringing his season strikeout total to 20, which leads all of baseball as of Wednesday morning.

Throwing 55 of his 83 pitches for strikes, Bieber was able to do what Triston McKenzie was not able to the night before. Contain the Mariners' offense. The difference was night and day, considering Bieber lasted nearly twice as long as McKenzie with four and a half times more strikeouts and none of the runs on just five more pitches thrown. Being able to shut down the Mariners would allow the Guardians offense to go to work, which included Bo Naylor's first home run of the season. The two-run blast from the younger Naylor brother proved to be the deciding runs in the contest, as Seattle managed to score two runs off Eli Morgan and nothing more. 

Is Bieber going to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard all season long? Obviously not, as that is an impossible task. But it will be interesting to see how long Bieber can keep his scoreless innings streak to start the season going and if he is able to continue racking up the strikeouts. Should both continue for an extended stretch, the Guardians may be able to get a worthwhile trade package should the Guardians decide to move him for the deadline.