The Guardians have managed an 8-5 record through their first 13 games, despite a strong slate of opponents. What is real and what is not as we look at this team’s performance so far?
Cleveland, OH
Real or Not: Analyzing the Guardians’ Offense’s Strong Start
Brayan Rocchio – 112 wRC+, .355 xwOBA, 8.7/13 K/BB%
Verdict – Real: Perhaps the most exciting Guardians’ player to follow so far this season has been Rocchio who has a very reasonable wRC+ about 10% above average and expected numbers that look even better. I’d expect Rocchio’s strikeout rate to probably double and bring his xwOBA back down more in line with his actual output, as his low BABIP of .219 averages out. He’s at 0 DRS and 0 OAA so far, but he looks like a good defender at short which should get him closer to his 2024 numbers of 11 DRS and 5 OAA if the team continues to start him there. A 115 wRC+ with 5 OAA would be a 4-5 win player. WOW.
Austin Hedges – 175 wRC+, .411 xwOBA, 20/0 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real: I do not expect Hedges to run a .500 BABIP this season, nor do I expect him to manage a wRC+ approximately 4 times what he has been as a hitter for a while. HOWEVER, he will end up taking some walks and his quality of contact has dramatically improved. I think an 80 wRC+ is actually on the table. Is it likely? No, it’s probably more of a 60-70 wRC+ when it’s all said and done, but Hedges as an 80 wRC+ would be an insanely valuable player given his continued defensive excellence.
Chase DeLauter – 185 wRC+, .393 xwOBA, 22/8.9 K/BB%
Verdict – Real(ish): I don’t think DeLauter is a 185 wRC+ player, but I do think there is potential for 150 wRC+ here. DeLauter will have to adjust to teams trying to get him to chase and relentlessly attacking him with high heat. But, I do think he will fall back on a strong plate discipline ethic and increase his walk rate while losing some slugging. This is a very exciting hitter and he has only a .231 BABIP right now.
Angel Martinex – 168 wRC+, .319 xwOBA, 17.1/8.6 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real(BUT!): I do not think Angel is going to be a 168 wRC+, but I do think he has potential to outperform his .319 xwOBA which would put him closer to a 120 wRC+, which is insane to think about. The key for Angel is maintaining a lower strikeout rate and a walk-rate of 9-10%, as well as his current 33% pulled fly-ball rate. Additionally, he needs to tighten up his outfield defense. If that’s the case, given his increasing confidence against right-handed pitchers, you could see him as the team’s primary starting left-fielder. Angel will likely need to trim his 34% chase rate slightly because his .364 BABIP will not last when he begins making more weak contact on bad pitches. Pitchers will begin simply throwing him balls to see if he is patient enough to take his walks. That will determine if Angel becomes something more than an early season mirage. I wouldn’t bet against him, myself.
Rhys Hoskins – 151 wRC+, .262 xwOBA, 36.4/18.2 K/BB%
Verdict – Real(ish): Hoskins has not been hitting the ball hard that often, but he has shown tremendous plate discipline and timely contact. I’d expect him to get closer to his xwOBA of 2025 given what we have seen, which was .314. Given his refusal to chase (15%) and his being surrounded by hitters like Jose and DeLauter, I think he has potential to be a 120 wRC+, with a 130-140 wRC+ on the table against LHP.
Juan Brito – 270 wRC+, .544 xwOBA, 12.5/0 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real(BUT!): Surprisingly, while I am a Brito-truther, I do not expect him to win AL MVP. The most exciting part of his debut is that he has had no walks yet and he is very capable of taking walks. He looks like a player who will see a lot of pitches, make consistent contact and pull fly balls. The question for him will be if he can avoid untimely errors at second base, because he will make mistakes there. It’s early but he definitely looks like a player who can manage a 120 wRC+, which might give Travis Bazzana some needed leash to try to figure himself out at Columbus.
Jose Ramirez – 62 wRC+, .338 xwOBA, 12.7/10 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real: Jose will be Jose, folks. His xwOBA is what it’s been for the past two years. He’s been pressing a bit and gotten robbed a few times (by defenders and umpires). Relax, he’ll be Jose.
Kyle Manzardo – 6 wRC+ .315 xwOBA, 34/9.8 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real(BUT!): Manzardo has been widely publicized as the most unlucky hitter in baseball so far. True. However, he is swinging and missing way too much and chasing at a career-high rate (32%). He needs to take a cue from his teammates who have been very disciplined as a whole group or the team is going to be looking longingly at Ralphy Velazquez by July with Manzardo hanging around league average as a hitter.
David Fry – 101 wRC+, .280 xwOBA, 35.3/17.3 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real: Folks, I don’t know if I believe in David Fry. His current value is reliant on his ability to continue to walk at a healthy rate, and I think pitchers are going to be daring him not to chase more and more. I think he might be a 90 wRC+ hitter overall, and 110 wRC+ vs. LHP. His spot on the roster won’t be secure if Hedges can somehow sustain competency at the plate, or if the team refuses to play him as a catcher (as they have so far).
Bo Naylor – 23 wRC+, .303 xwOBA, 24.2/12.1 K/BB%
Verdict – Not Real(BUT!): Bo will eventually be something more like his xwOBA… but that’s still a slightly below league average hitter. Bo isn’t going anywhere for 2026, but if Cooper Ingle continues to advance as a defender, I’d expect Ingle to be on the team in September with a chance to show himself as a contender for starting catcher in 2027 and putting Bo on the trade block. Bo needs to find a way to get to his power and continue to take walks, and I think he will, but there are some reasons to doubt.
C.J. Kayfus – 92 wRC+, .305 xwOBA, 32/8 K/BB%
Verdict – Real: Kayfus looks like a slightly below average hitter. I think he’s probably roughly 100 wRC+, which will make him an easy replacement when George Valera is ready. Hope he surprises me and proves me wrong.
What do you think? Whom do you believe in? Whom do you doubt? Let us know in the comments below
Cleveland, OH
‘Oh, Mary!’ is way beyond PG-13. Can Cleveland audiences handle it?
Cleveland, OH
Kendalle Cobb, MD Obituary April 29, 2026 – Brown-Forward Funeral Service
Kendalle Cobb, MD, age 55, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, passed away on April 29, 2026. She was the loving wife of Andrew Cleminshaw, the loving mother of Catherine Cleminshaw, the loving daughter of Emmett Cobb Jr. and Erma L. Cobb of San Francisco, and the loving sister of Cheryl Chambers (Michael) and Jan Cobb.
Kendalle was born and spent her childhood in San Francisco, California, happily ensconced on Grove Street just a few doors down from the famous Victorian homes known as the Painted Ladies. As she grew up, she studied and danced with the San Francisco Ballet while attending the French-American Bilingual School and Lowell High School. During this time, she also began her lifelong fandom of General Hospital, which provided her with a precocious introduction to the field of medicine. She left for the East Coast to attend Harvard University and George Washington University Medical School. She then returned to California for a family medicine residency and later a faculty position at the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center.
In 2004, she became a staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic. During her time there, she rose to assume numerous leadership roles, including membership on the Board of Governors and, most recently, Associate Chief of Staff. Throughout her time, she gave many keynote addresses and worked with numerous constituencies, all with the goal of making the Clinic a place where all community members, patients, and caregivers could thrive.
One of Kendalle’s core teachings was adapted from the author Leo Bascaglia: if a person is a plum, they should be the best plum they can be, not attempt to be a banana. A plum trying to be a banana will only be a second-rate banana. In other words, be true to yourself.
Kendalle practiced family medicine at the Clinic’s Solon Family Health Center, and her patients and colleagues celebrated the empathetic care she provided, the listening she offered, and the emphatic advocacy she delivered.
Kendalle was deeply invested in educating the next generation of doctors. She was a beloved Physician Advisor at the Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine, where she also designed curricula and implemented initiatives, including the diversity dinner program. Among many awards for her work, she received the Outstanding Faculty Contribution Award from CCLCM in 2022. She served as chair of the Diversity Scholars Program steering committee at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, supporting another cohort of future doctors. Her legacy will live on in the doctors whom she mentored and nurtured, holding high standards while helping them bring their full selves to the medical profession.
As part of her commitment to medical education and the training of physicians, Kendalle was selected to serve on and then chair various National Board of Medical Examiners committees, writing and reviewing questions for the USMLE Step 3 exam. She enjoyed meeting regularly with peers from across the country to determine which questions best assess physician readiness.
Kendalle was a treasured friend who curated a beloved “inner circle” whom she supported and who supported her throughout her life. Her Christian faith was a core part of her identity and guided her throughout her life. She was an active member of Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, serving in many capacities, including president of the Church Council. She had a knack for pastoral relations, nurturing faith leaders up until the very end.
While being a strong, determined leader and role model, Kendalle took time to savor the lighter, human side of life, whether lingering over a meal in the college dining hall, going to concerts with friends, or taking road trips with her family. Kendalle supported the performing arts with a special affinity for musical theater. She often celebrated special occasions in Catherine’s life with a mother-daughter trip to a show, be it at a local venue or across the country. As Catherine took to the theater both on and backstage, Kendalle could always be found in the audience, attending every show, flowers at the ready, leading a standing ovation as the cast took their bows. Kendalle was a beloved wife and mother whose nurturing presence, positive, faithful outlook, and commitment to making the world a better place will be deeply missed.
The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to VelloSano/Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, or Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Rd., 44120, where Memorial Services will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 11 am.
Friends may call at Brown-Forward, 17022 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Hts., OH 44120, Friday, May 22nd, from 5-7 pm.
Cleveland, OH
Gas prices jump across Northeast Ohio, with some stations nearing $5
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -Drivers across Northeast Ohio have watched gas prices climb sharply over the past few days, with some stations coming close to the $5 mark and analysts say relief may not be coming soon.
At one Cleveland gas station, the price on the sign read $4.99, a number drivers say is becoming harder to avoid.
Many people filling up Wednesday evening told 19 News they’re frustrated by the rapid increases.
“It’s crazy. Sooner or later, we’re going to be at like $5 or like $6,” one driver said.
Another driver added, “We’re getting gas now, but not here.”
According to AAA, the average price for gas in Ohio is $4.22 for regular fuel as of Wednesday. In Cleveland the average was $4.23.
One major factor: crude oil prices. Those prices are trading above $100 a barrel, which can raise the cost of gasoline.
“Crude oil is the main ingredient of gasoline,” said Jim Garrity, the director of public affairs for AAA east central. “So, when it goes up and down, even by a couple dollars here and there, that has an impact on the pump.”
Experts say the last time Ohio experienced prices this high was 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict pushed gas prices above $5 a gallon.
Garrity added even when the U.S. isn’t buying oil directly from certain countries, global events can still affect prices here.”
“Even though we’re not importing Iranian oil in America, it is a globally traded commodity,” Garrity said. “When you see an impact happen overseas well, that splash has ripples and those ripples make their way to us.”
When 19 News was at another Cleveland gas station, prices changed quickly: within about 30 minutes, the price jumped from $4.79 to $4.99. It cost us $30.55 for a little more than six gallons.
“The lady said they went up 70 cents,” another driver said. “She said it was $4.19 earlier, then it shot up to $4.79. Now it’s $4.99. I was going to get gas yesterday, but I forgot.”
One driver who uses premium gas said the surge hits even harder.
“It’s $4.99, I just texted my buddy yesterday, like oh it jumped 80 cents,” the driver said. “I’m glad I’ve got a company card, but this is my personal and I’ve got to spend almost $6 a gallon on gas because it’s premium.”
As for whether prices will drop soon, Garrity says it depends on what crude oil does next.
“What happens next remains to be seen with crude oil prices,” he said.
Garrity says a few options to say on gasoline is drive less or Slow down.
“The faster you go, at AAA, we have found every roughly 5 miles over 50 an hour you’re going, you’re exponentially burning fuel less efficiently and that’s making you a less safe driver, but it’s also making your car work harder and burning fuel less efficiently,” Garrity said.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
-
Sports11 seconds agoBest bet: Magic will take down the top-seeded Pistons in Orlando
-
Technology6 minutes agoFox News AI Newsletter: The AI model that’s too dangerous to go public
-
Business12 minutes agoThis Rivian spinoff is reinventing e-bikes in California with screens, software and swappable seats
-
Entertainment18 minutes ago
Column: What the audience has learned since the first ‘Devil Wears Prada’
-
Lifestyle24 minutes agoL.A. Affairs: Our flight felt like a first date. Would it continue after we landed at LAX?
-
Politics30 minutes agoYour guide to the California secretary of state race: Democrat Shirley Weber vs. Republican Don Wagner
-
Sports42 minutes agoRight to Party becomes third Kentucky Derby scratch, opening door for Robusta
-
World54 minutes agoMan detained for attack plot on Dutch princesses to appear in court