Guardians lineup on pace to be among most left-handed orders of all time
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Guardians lineup on pace to be among most left-handed orders of all time
Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal·Akron Beacon Journal
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3 min read
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CLEVELAND — Looking down theGuardians lineupthese days closely resembles the directions given to NASCAR drivers at Daytona.
Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left.
TheGuardianslineup is so left-handed (how left-handed is it?) some cobwebs have probably taken up residence in the right-handed batter's box at Progressive Field.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians bats during the first inning of his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: A view of the MLB Debut patch on the Nike jersey worn by Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians prior to his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Joey Cantillo #54 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Colt Emerson #4 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Kahlil Watson #31 of the Cleveland Guardians hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) singles in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Cooper Ingle (30) stands at the plate in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Kahlil Watson (31) runs the bases in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Cooper Ingle (30) swings in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) turns a double play in front of second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks on the field in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
1/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians bats during the first inning of his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
1/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians bats during the first inning of his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
2/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: A view of the MLB Debut patch on the Nike jersey worn by Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians prior to his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
3/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Joey Cantillo #54 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
4/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
5/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Colt Emerson #4 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
6/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 26: Kahlil Watson #31 of the Cleveland Guardians hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
7/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
8/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) singles in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
9/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Cooper Ingle (30) stands at the plate in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
10/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Kahlil Watson (31) runs the bases in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
11/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Cooper Ingle (30) swings in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
12/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) turns a double play in front of second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
13/13
Cleveland Guardians home series vs. Seattle Mariners
Jun 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks on the field in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)
The Guardians are the most left-handed-heavy lineup in the league by a mile. And they're on pace to be one of the most left-heavy batting orders in the last 50 years.
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They've been southpaw-specific for a few years, but the 2026 season is taking it to another level. Through their first 82 games, the Guardianshad accumulated only 565 plate appearances by right-handed hitters(or switch-hitters batting on the right side of the plate).
They're the only team below 600 right-handed plate appearances so far (or 700, or 800, or 900). The next lowest club in that regard, and the only other one below 1,000, is theWashington Nationalswith 946. The lowest American League club, theSeattle Mariners, have more than twice as many as Cleveland with 1,154. TheHouston Astroslead the league with 2,363 right-handed PAs.
Cleveland Guardians' Kyle Manzardo hits a single against the Seattle Mariners on June 27, 2026, in Cleveland.
Guardians stats
The Guardians were last in the majors in right-handed PAs in each of the last two seasons (1,271 last year and 1,594 in 2024). This season, they're on pace for 1,116 PAs by righties, which would be the fewest in 50 years among MLB teams that played a full 162-game season (meaning it excludes 2020, 1994, etc.).
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The only team in that time even remotely close to Cleveland's 2026 pace was the 1986St. Louis Cardinals, who finished with 1,272. No other team playing a full MLB season in 40 years has been as left-handed dominant as the 2026 Guardians.
It's certainly no secret. The Guardians know they're probably going to face every left-handed pitcher teams can throw at them every series. Still, although Cleveland lacks a balanced lineup by handedness, its results haven't been too tilted toward one direction. Through 82 games, the Guardians against right-handed pitchers had a 93 wRC+ and a .227/.331/.373 slash line; against lefties it's 86 wRC+ (25thin MLB), .225/.312/.346.
Cleveland Guardians' Kahlil Watson hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners on June 27, 2026, in Cleveland.
And at this point, they're just leaning into it (which just happens to be to the left, of course).
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"I mean, I think we're doing everything we can," Guardiansmanager Stephen Vogtsaid when asked about avoiding their left handedness becoming an Achilles heel. "We need to beat the starter. I mean, we know teams can match up really well with us in the bullpen, and we know we're very left-handed, but if we're going to be left-handed, let's go all in on it. And that's just where we are right now."
The disparity is likely only widening over the next few weeks. Jose Ramirez (hamate bone) and Angel Martinez (foot), two of the switch-hitters in the normal lineup, are both out with injuries. And whileChase DeLauteris also on the injured list, he's progressing in his rehab and might not be far off from activation.
Cleveland Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle hits a two-run single for his first major league hit during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 27, 2026, in Cleveland.
It's as if "The Cupid Shuffle" is playing, but the CD is skipping on the line "To the left, to the left, to the left."
It'll be something the Guardians might prioritize at the trade deadline if they can find the right deal for a righty. Until then, opposing left-handed pitchers know they might as well start warming up now.
Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
