Locked On Guardians - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Guardians

Joey Cantillo's control issue put the Cleveland Guardians in a tough spot after a frustrating loss to the Baltimore Orioles. They continue to play from behind due to offensive issues, and Cantillo didn't help. Can pitching coach Carl Willis help Cantillo regain his form, or will Cleveland be forced to experiment with options like Slade Cecconi or a bullpen strategy as the team battles for a Wild Card spot? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ walk-filled loss to the Orioles, discuss the struggling spots up and down the lineup right now, causing the lack of leads in...

Cleveland Guardians walk off the Detroit Tigers three times in a wild series, clinging to playoff hopes despite trailing in 35 of 38 innings. Can this propel the Guardians down the stretch and into the playoffs? Can we all survive this kind of baseball for 2+ weeks? Justin Lada breaks down Bryan Rocchio’s heroic, Parker Messick closing the Rookie of the Year race, Travis Bazzana's clutch moments, and a bullpen peaking at the right moment. We talk about the Guardians’ overall offensive inconsistencies, the current playoff standings, and what it will take over the final 18 games to edge past the Toronto Blue...

More mistakes plague the Cleveland Guardians, dropping another late-season critical game at home vs the Toronto Blue Jays. The Guardians have cooled off after a hot stretch, leaving us to wonder who this team really is. Are self-inflicted mistakes and struggling bats like Nathaniel Lowe’s -17 WRC+ and Travis Bazzana’s ongoing slump going to cost them a playoff spot? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis take a look at the team’s Jekyll-and-Hyde season, costly walks and defensive miscues to Jose Ramirez’s inconsistent production in clutch moments. The show breaks down the looming Detroit Tigers series, debate platoon...

The Cleveland Guardians have looked much more consistent lately, and looked great vs. the Toronto Blue Jays to start this series. In the second game they laid a major egg. Was it just one bad game or more concerning big picture? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ blowout loss, looking at Angel Genao's unexplainable error, and the offense’s struggles against Dylan Cease. We also dive into Ralphy Velazquez and Ryan Cesarini could be seeing inflated numbers due to multiple factors, according to Baseball America data. Of course, we also scoreboard watch and explain why basically the...

Gavin Williams came up with his best start of the year for the Cleveland Guardians, following his worst start. That and the insurance company of Angel Genao and Angel Martinez gave the Guardians a positive run differential for the first time since June 7. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down key turning points, from Angel Martínez’s surprising home run surge and Angel Genao's clutch plays to bullpen reliability and the challenge of facing Dylan Cease next. We also look at the Guardians’ hot September track record, and the wild story of a international prospect that faked his death...

Parker Messick has planted his name firmly with MLB's impressive 2026 rookie class. Can he vault himself to win the Rookie of the Year or earn a strong Cy Young finish and carry the Guardians to the playoffs? What does it mean for the Guardians’ future draft implications? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the competitive AL rookie class, highlight Messick’s standout numbers, and debate the quirks of MLB’s prospect promotion incentives—all while weighing Travis Bazzana’s and Kevin McGonigle’s awards chances. We also touch on the Blue Jays series that looms large and September callups Dani...

Cleveland Guardians frustrated fans with inconsistent weekend, and salvaging a big offensive performance against the surging Kansas City Royals and clinging to a Wild Card spot. This episode looks at Sunday's highlights as well as missed opportunities, Colin Holderman's struggles, and a controversial pinch-hitting decision. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis dissect standout performances from Parker Messick and Chase DeLauter, highlight Travis Bazzana’s on-field struggles, and break down the American League Rookie of the Year race between Messick, DeLauter, McGonigle, and Murakami. We also get into September call-ups, and Chris Antonetti’s comments on roster construction. Are the Guardians reve...

Who will the Cleveland Guardians bring up as September roster expansion reinforcements? Will it be top prospect Ralphy Velazquez or will roster and lockout concerns keep him stuck at Triple-A.  

Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis debate the likelihood of Velazquez joining the big-league club, evaluate the implications of 40-man roster constraints, and who is making waves in Triple-A. We dive into the strengths and risks of Cleveland’s pitching staff, the strategic use of pinch runners like Schneemann or Watson, and how looming MLB lockout rules could affect player service time and long-term roster planning. The show als...

Cleveland Guardians rally past the Los Angeles Angels with thrilling comebacks. The Guardiac Kids pull off a 6-0 road trip and vault back into playoff form. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ 9-game hot streak and look at standout performances from Travis Bazzana, key bullpen arms like Eric Sabrowski and Matt Festa, and improved team defense, and whether this resilient road trip redefines Cleveland’s season. We also discuss improved playoff odds, upcoming series against the Royals, and what’s truly sustainable for the Guardians into the home stretch of the playoff race.

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Gavin Williams’ rough outing jeopardizes threatens to derail the Cleveland Guardians win streak and playoff momentum. Despite Parker Messick's brilliant season and start in game one and a win vs. the Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland put themselves behind the eight ball in game two with bad starting pitching and approach mistakes. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down game two's costly bullpen burnout, and the ongoing struggles of Jose Ramirez. We also debate how much credit the Guardians deserve if they capture a Wild Card spot in a “down year” for the American League, and question what truly defines progre...

Cleveland Guardians look to Jo Adell’s hot streak in Los Angeles against his former team and take advantage of a chance to rise up the playoff standings. The Guardians current outfield of Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, and Jo Adell has the best short term upside in quite some time, but there questions about long-term consistency and contract future hang over Kwan and Adell. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down game one vs. Los Angeles Angels, highlight outfield and bullpen dynamics, and debate the shortstop battle between Angel Genao and Brayan Rocchio.

00:00 Discussing Chase DeL...

Cleveland Guardians overpower Colorado Rockies with a confident sweep, fueled by big performances from Jo Adell, Nathaniel Lowe, and Chase DeLauter. This is what it's supposed to look like. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis look deeper beyond beating a bad team, including Travis Bazzana’s adjustments at the plate and the bullpen’s recent stability with Eric Sabrowski and Tim Herrin stepping up. We also discussed the Guardians’ ability to control their postseason fate, navigating an “easy” AL schedule packed with make-or-break matchups against the Blue Jays, Tigers, and Twins. The discussion explored the importance of the rotation, confidence in key arm...

The Cleveland Guardians snap finally won a series for the first time since July, but once again, it has to be the starting point if they plan to use it as fuel for a late playoff push? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the series win over the San Francisco Giants and preview the Colorado Rockies series. We also dive into how many wins the Guardians will need the rest of the way to get back into the playoffs. And the show spends some more time on  Ralphy Velazquez’s hot streak, his struggles against breaking pitches, and com...

Cleveland Guardians’ playoff hopes continue to slip as bad batted ball luck combines with key injuries, and missed opportunities on offense pile up. Jeff Ellis and Justin Lada break down the crushing loss to the Giants, highlighting Parker Messick’s strong outing and the bullpen, but also poor execution by the offense while missing Jo Adell and Chase DeLauter from the lineup. We look into insights on how poor timing and tough luck have derailed the season. The show also gets into the ripple effect of Rhys Hoskins hitting the injured list, David Fry’s call-up, and whether winning two ou...

Cleveland Guardians kick off an important stretch with a much needed dominant win over the San Francisco Giants. Will it be the first step towards regaining momentum and consistency? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis dive in on Jo Adell's fireworks at the plate and if Jose Ramirez is starting to feel a little bit better. We also look ahead to Wednesday's game featuring Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson facing his former team, Parker Messick’s vs the Giants, plus injury updates on Adell and DeLauter.  

00:00 Guardians take first step towards regaining momentum

06:32 Why the mindset must be...

Cleveland Guardians face their worst August since 2012, bringing us questions about front office stability and the future direction of the team in this mailbag episode of the show. Are roster shake-ups or ownership changes on the horizon as the losing streak continues? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down whether David Blitzer’s potential takeover could bring changes or if anyone should be on the hot seat.  

We also take questions on Steven Kwan’s trade value, future roles for Travis Bazzana and Cooper Ingle, and the future shortstop battle between Angel Genao and Brayan Rocchio. Questions also...

Cleveland Guardians' playoff dreams hit a crossroads as inconsistency  continues to derail their season. What evidence do we have that there is going to be a turnaround or hot stretch to run down the division or playoff spot, or is it already too late for Cleveland’s postseason hopes?

Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians' recent woes, debating Rhys Hoskins’ fit at first base, who else is struggling and who is NOT the problem, and upcoming must-win series against MLB’s bottom teams.

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Cleveland Guardians’ postseason hopes take a nosedive as sloppy play and offensive struggles continue to define their second half. Jeff Ellis breaks down another frustrating loss to the Detroit Tigers, spotlighting key performances from Chase DeLauter and Parker Messick amidst widespread lineup woes. The analysis questions José Ramírez’s role, debates Angel Martinez’s hot streak, and calls for immediate changes—should Kyle Manzardo get a recall to spark the lineup?

Looking ahead, Ellis previews a high-stakes Padres series, contrasting Cleveland’s offensive woes with San Diego’s star-heavy, yet flawed, roster. Pitching matchups, bullpen strengt...

Cleveland Guardians out-hit their defensive miscues to edge the Detroit Tigers. The this offense finally been turning the corner? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis dive into the Guardians’ rising run production since the trade deadline, fueled by impact bats like Jo Adell, Nathaniel Lowe, and calling up Angel Genao, while also questioning if recent hot streaks can be sustained as crucial calendar days tick by. The hosts break down lineup inconsistencies, Jose Ramirez’s struggles, bullpen woes, and questionable decisions by manager Stephen Vogt. We also note that Foster Griffin's outing was underrated and went under the radar.

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Cleveland Guardians’ frustrating slide continues after a 6-4 loss to the Tigers. Are the cracks deeper than last year, or is it just a matter of bad breaks? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down critical defensive lapses, missed opportunities with runners in scoring position, and whether Jose Ramirez is helping or hurting the team during this tough stretch. The show also looks into the Guardians’ minor league system, with prospects beyond Ralphy Velazquez, such as Luke Hill, Aaron Walton, Welbyn Francisca and more impressing at various levels. Is Cleveland’s hitting pipeline finally outpacing its pitching prospects? We also d...

Cleveland Guardians’ playoff hopes hang in the balance as lineup confusion and bullpen chaos threaten their season. Are questionable data-driven decisions—like starting Jo Adell and Rhys Hoskins in key spots despite reversed platoon splits—holding the team back from critical wins? Jeff Ellis highlights the frustration of persistent offensive misfires, Jose Ramirez’s struggles, and whether leadership is too reliant on last year’s stats instead of current performance.

Pitching woes take center stage as the Guardians’ bullpen, plagued by high walk rates and injuries, slides from a top-six unit to just average. Jeff Ellis debates...

Cleveland Guardians once again struggle to maintain momentum after a good win Friday vs the Chicago White Sox, but incomplete performance sank them once again over the weekend. Justin Lada breaks down the Guardians’ frustrating series against the White Sox, looking at poorly timed bullpen struggles, inconsistent offense, and mounting defensive concerns.We look at critical tiebreaker scenarios, and the surge of Detroit Tigers in the division race. The show also looks at Jace LaViolette's promotion to Akron and upcoming debut's of the 2026 draft class. WIll the Guardians put the pieces of the puzzle together and stay in the AL...

Despite a great MLB trade deadline, the Cleveland Guardians are swept by the New York Mets at home. The new arrivals played a role on offense, but defense, bullpen, and execution remains the team's achilles heel. Can Jose Ramirez, Travis Bazzana, the defnse, and the bullpen pick things up under mounting pressure? Justin Lada breaks down the Guardians' struggle for consistency, the impact of recent roster changes, including Angel Genao’s emergence and Jose Ramirez’s nagging wrist injury. Can the core get things together to allow the new help to chase down the White Sox, or will fundamental issu...

Cleveland Guardians fans witness history as Angel Genao delivered a record-setting four-hit MLB debut, but costly errors and missed opportunities got in the way again. Can the Guardians curb their self-destructive habits before the playoff race slips away? Justin Lada dives into Genao's impressive debut and how this move signal a new direction after Gabriel Arias' struggles. We also discuss Tanner Bibee’s pitching adjustments, defensive miscues from Brayan Rocchio and genao, and Stephen Vogt’s challenge to instill fundamentals. This episode also looks at the team’s ongoing issues with situational hitting, bullpen sequencing, and the implications for playof...

Jo Adell came in and contributed for the Cleveland Guardians immediately. But the same old mistakes haunted them again in the loss to the new York Mets. Justin Lada breaks down costly errors from Gabriel Arias, base running mistakes by Brayan Rocchio, and struggles with runners in scoring position. The episode also looks into Slade Cecconi's move to the bullpen, and why Franco Aleman was sent down to make room. We also spend time reviewing the MLB trade deadline around the league and why the Guardians made more impactful additions than anyone else in the AL. The bottom line...

Cleveland Guardians went all in at the MLB trade deadline acquiring Foster Griffin, Jo Adell, Nathaniel Lowe, and Craig Yoho. Did Chris Antonetti and the Guardians cook at the deadline? How much did they improve the team and their playoff chances? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the front office’s aggressive approach, evaluating the value of prospects traded and new lineup configurations featuring Lowe’s power and Adell’s clutch hitting. We also look at critical roster decisions, discussing the futures of Kyle Manzardo, David Fry, and the impact of moving on from players like Bo Naylor and Ja...

Cleveland Guardians shake up their lineup by acquiring right-handed power bat Jo Adell, answering fans’ calls for more home run potential in the outfield. Is Adell’s arrival the missing piece for Cleveland’s postseason push, or does his struggle against righties signal the need for more moves before the deadline?

Jeff Ellis spotlights Adell’s strengths in clutch hitting, lefthanded pitching dominance, and immediate power upgrade—while candidly assessing his defensive flaws and platoon limitations. The episode breaks down the cost of dealing catching prospect Jacob Cozart, analyzes parallels with the Lane Thomas deal, and questio...

Cleveland Guardians avoid a sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks thanks to Gavin Williams' historically dominant stretch continuing and some fight by the offense, and apparently the whole team. While the starting pitching continues to dominate, the bullpen and offense needs more help. Will front office moves provide the offensive help Cleveland needs for a postseason run? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down Williams’ record-setting form, the bullpen’s rollercoaster weekend, and what Craig Yoho’s acquisition brings to the bullpen. We also get into the  unwritten rules after Sunday’s on-field scuffle, and potential trade targets like Brooks Raley and...

The Cleveland Guardians traded for Milwaukee Brewers RP Craig Yoho and OF Blake Perkins for C Bo Naylor and RP Codi Heuer. Bonus live reaction to the trade with Justin Lada.

00:00 Bo Naylor traded to Milwaukee

06:04 Brewers' pitching and trade strategy

07:07 Discussing Craig Yoho's role

15:19 Focusing on Craig Yoho trade

17:24 Trade and roster speculation

26:09 Franco's Aleman's defense an availability challenges

27:29 Evaluating Franco Alemán's potential

31:03 Discussing Guardians' trade strategies

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Cleveland Guardians gear up for the MLB trade deadline. Can the front office land Heriberto Hernandez or Brooks Raley to boost their roster, or will they settle for lower-tier trade options? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ top trade targets—including Adrian Morejon, Taylor Ward, and Dalton Varsho—while debating the cost of moving key prospects like Angel Genao or Cooper Ingle.  

00:00 Trade deadline focus and plans

03:14 Who are main targets and the big trade chips

08:52 Is there a connection between the Guardians and Rockies?

09:28 Which reliever...

Cleveland Guardians cement Ohio Cup bragging rights with Kyle Manzardo powering the offense. Can a new-look lineup, with Travis Bazzana hitting fourth and Steven Kwan’s renewed consistency at the top help get the offense back in the right direction? Discuss the top four of the lineup, the Guardians’ cautious management of their starting pitchers, hopefully hinting at playoff ambitions and potential trade deadline moves. We dive into potential under-the-radar trade targets such as Heriberto Hernandez and Sam Bachman.

00:00 Guardians win the Ohio Cup!

06:15 Who is actually reliable with RISP right now?

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Cleveland Guardians split the double-header with the Cincinnati Reds in frustrating fashion, taking advantage in game one against Chase Burns, but wasting another dominant effort by Gavin Williams in game two. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis breakdown the double-header split, and why the Guardians don't have the pieces to be sellers and shouldn't settle for selling despite a frustrating stretch. The show also explores what the roster might look like if the Guardians stand pat at the deadline and who might join the team.

00:00 Doubleheader ups and downs

05:54 Jose Ramirez wills Gu...

The MLB trade deadline clock is ticking down and the Cleveland Guardians approach MLB trade deadline with big questions. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis analyze potential additions like Alex Call, Nathaniel Lowe, and Luis Robert, plus how to improve the lineup by moving on from Rhys Hoskins. We discuss player roles, trade scenarios, and realistic Guardians targets and debate how the front office should “zig when others zag” in a market defined by cautious GMs and looming uncertainty. We also give you offer tips to smartly follow deadline chatter, break down the Ohio Cup doubleheader pitching matchups, and provide a fi...

The Cleveland Guardians offense was frustratingly absent once again in a difficult series in Tampa Bay over the weekend. What issues are plaguing the Guardians roster most and can they be fixed? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis breakdown the ugly weekend against the Rays, why the teams still needs to buy at the trade deadline, as well as the latest news on why the Guardians and 2026 2nd round pick Logan Schmidt aren't coming to a deal at the MLB draft signing deadline.

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Cleveland Guardians’ offense sputtered again despite Gavin Williams’ dominant outing, so we keep asking, can they find consistency before the trade deadline? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down another frustrating loss and the Guardians’ 0-for-17 mark with runners in scoring position and ongoing struggles to sync pitching, defense, and timely hitting. The show also dives into bullpen performance, in-game decision-making by Stephen Vogt, and which roster spots—like those of David Fry and Rhys Hoskins—are most likely to be upgraded ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline

04:09 Missed scoring opportunities in extra innings

09:33 Gua...

Cleveland Guardians got Jose Ramirez’s back and he made an impactful return offensively, but yet again, the Guardians sloppy defense turned the game upside down. This episode focuses on the fact that the trade deadline doesn't matter for Cleveland if they can't clean up their defensive issues. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ costly errors, highlight strong offensive nights from Kyle Manzardo and Steven Kwan, and debate the urgent need for bullpen upgrades after another tough outing from Matt Festa. With the trade deadline looming, we also look at potential targets like Adrian Morejón and M...

Cleveland Guardians have fought back into a tie for first place and without key pieces like Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez, the team has earned action from the front office with the approaching MLB trade deadline. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis discuss Travis Bazzana’s aggressive baserunning, and key defensive plays from Petey Halpin and Chase DeLauter, while also questioning first base struggles with Kyle Manzardo and David Fry. We settle an easy debate with who should be sent down with the returns of Ramirez and Martinez and discuss potential trade options like Taylor Ward, Lane Thomas, and even a...

Cleveland Guardians dominate the Minnesota Twins with a 13-run outburst as Tanner Bibee delivers yet another quality start. Now how do they capitalize on their successful approach vs. Joe Ryan and build on it? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ offensive explosion, spotlighting multi-homer games from Petey Halpin and Rhys Hoskins. We also have to dive into Kyle Manzardo’s troubling slump and his long-term role at first base. The show also weighs in on the AL playoff picture, Boston’s unexpected resurgence, and using around Bo Naylor’s to get an outfield upgrade.

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The Cleveland Guardians stumbled against the Pittsburgh Pirates with costly base running blunders, raising big questions about accountability. So we ask, how much can they blame youth and inexperience? We also get into Steven Kwan's rejuvenated presence at the top of the lineup. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis debate the Guardians' recent struggles, from Travis Bazzana’s walk-off homer to the impact of missing Jose Ramirez and if it makes sense that he comes back with no rehab assignment. We are also diving into trade deadline mode and pondering if acquiring Lane Thomas (again) could spark Cleveland’s offense.

Out of the All-Star break, is the Cleveland Guardians first focus trade deadline talks or extension talks? Will Travis Bazzana be the next breakout star signed long-term? Justin Lada evaluates the urgency for the Guardians to lock in Bazzana, Parker Messick, and Chase DeLauter before looming CBA uncertainties shake up the league and players like JJ Wetherholt and Chase Burns sign extensions. The show also digs into midseason trade targets such as potential big swings like Mason Miller to versatile bats, and emphasizes the team’s need for rotation depth and savvy decision-making at the deadline.  

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