Story by
Stephen Vogt’s decision to trust hitless Guardians outfielder looks even more puzzling
- Story by
- Stephen Vogt’s decision to trust hitless Guardians outfielder looks even more puzzling
Stephen Vogt's decision to trust hitless Guardians outfielder looks even more puzzling appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt understands that he will have to mix and match more than most skippers — that just comes with the territory for a bottom-barrel payroll — but one of his recent decisions is not working out thus far.
Advertisement
Angel Martinez entered a must-win Game 4 with no hits and seven strikeouts in 12 at-bats during the American League Division Series . He remains hitless and now has another K to his playoffs stat line past the midway point of Thursday's clash with the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old left fielder whiffed on an Erik Fedde sweeper with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. He then grounded into a double play in the fourth.
Vogt's line of thinking initially seemed logical for this specific series. The Guardians hit the fourth-fewest home runs during the regular season, while the White Sox recorded the fifth-most. Martinez led Cleveland with 18 dingers, so theoretically, he should have offered plenty of value versus Chicago. Perhaps he still will.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
This October drop-off is brutal for a player who made visible strides in 2026. The switch-hitting Dominican accumulated a .756 OPS in 114 games and was positioned for a productive playoffs after raking in September. He is woefully out of sorts right now, though.
Advertisement
Instead of giving Petey Halpin a look, Vogt has remained loyal to Angel Martinez, much to the chagrin of many Guards fans. Some of his calls are paying huge dividends, however.
Click Above to Subscribe
The two-time American League Manager of the Year replaced Austin hedges with Patrick Bailey in the fifth, and the latter promptly rewarded his trust with a solo homer. Franchise keystone Jose Ramirez then put Cleveland on top with a two-run blast later in the inning. The Guardians then coughed up the lead and now trail 4-3 at time of print.
Martinez will try to give this gritty ballclub a season-saving boost before night's end.
Related: Guardians' Jose Ramirez enters rare playoff air amid red-hot streak vs. White Sox
Related: Guardians force Game 5 vs. White Sox thanks to six-run 6th inning
