Guardians outfield shuffle leads to big role for DeLauter

Following a historic run to another American League Central Division title, the Guardians are again relying mostly on internal options to help a struggling offense. Cleveland's team batting average was .226 in 2025, the lowest in franchise history. Quality pitching and a hot September at the plate erased a MLB record 15.5 game deficit to Detroit for their second straight division crown, but the Guardians fell to those Tigers in the first round of the playoffs. "The last 10 years they've had the fourth best record in baseball and been to the playoffs seven times," Ideastream Public Media sports commentator Terry Pluto said.