The Guardians' 7th straight loss, a 1-0 defeat to the Cubs on July 4, was overshadowed by a gambling probe into starter Luis Ortiz. Read the full story.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. Before the Cleveland Guardians even took the field for what would become their seventh consecutive loss, a bombshell dropped: scheduled starter Luis Ortiz was placed on the restricted list, the subject of an MLB gambling investigation. The shocking off-field news set a grim tone for a day that ended in familiar fashion—a 1-0 extra-inning defeat to the Chicago Cubs, sinking the team further into a mid-season spiral.
The Guardians are now 9-19 since June 1, a freefall from contention to desperation.
The day's most significant development happened hours before the first pitch. Luis Ortiz, penciled in to start against the Cubs, was abruptly placed on the non-disciplinary restricted list. The reason sent shockwaves through the organization and its fanbase: he is under investigation by Major League Baseball for gambling. While details are scarce, the news immediately casts a dark cloud over the team, raising more questions than answers and forcing the Guardians to navigate a serious off-field crisis in the midst of a brutal losing streak.
With the team reeling, rookie Joey Cantillo was thrust into the spotlight, recalled from Columbus to make the emergency start. The young lefty performed admirably, tossing 3 1/3 shutout innings in his first MLB start of 2025. But the offense once again provided zero support. The Guardians scattered seven singles but couldn't plate a single run, going a frustrating 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The futility culminated in a 1-0, 10-inning walk-off loss, with Emmanuel Clase taking the loss after Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly scored the ghost runner. It's the seventh straight loss for a team that has forgotten how to win, now sitting at 40-45.
The bad news wasn't limited to the Ortiz situation and the final score. Shortstop Gabriel Arias, one of the team's best defenders who was finally finding a rhythm at the plate, was placed on the 15-day IL with an ankle sprain. His absence is a significant blow to the infield. In his place, the team recalled Brayan Rocchio from Triple-A. These moves came just a day after the team designated lefty Kolby Allard for assignment, continuing a trend of constant roster churn as the front office scrambles for answers.
If there's any solace to be found on this dismal Fourth of July, it's in the future. The organization announced that multiple prospects have been selected to represent the Guardians in the upcoming MLB All-Star Futures Game. While the major league club struggles, this serves as a crucial reminder of the talent pipeline Cleveland has built. It's a small glimmer of hope, a promise that brighter days may lie ahead, even if they feel very far away right now.
As the Guardians stumble into the weekend, they are a team in crisis. They carry a seven-game losing streak, a sputtering offense, and now, the weight of a major league investigation into one of their own pitchers. The next few days aren't just about snapping a losing streak; they're about finding a way to steady a ship that is taking on water from all directions before the entire season sinks.
