The slumping Cleveland Guardians face the Chicago Cubs on July 1, 2025. With José Ramírez struggling, can Steven Kwan and the pitching staff stop the skid?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Here we go again. The Cleveland Guardians find themselves in a familiar, frustrating position, entering July on a four-game losing streak and slipping to a 40-42 record. As they open a crucial three-game set against the Cubs in the Windy City, the question on every fan's mind is simple: where does the spark come from? With the offense in a funk, the answer might lie in the team's surprising strength on the mound and the tantalizing talent waiting in the minors.
The Guardians' pitching staff posted a strong 3.79 ERA in June, the eighth-best mark in all of baseball.
The Guardians desperately need to snap their four-game slide, and doing it at Wrigley Field won't be easy. They enter the series 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, facing a Cubs team featuring big bats like Kyle Tucker (.322 AVG) and Nico Hoerner (.326 AVG). For Cleveland to have a chance, they'll need their own stars to wake up. While Steven Kwan continues to be an on-base machine with a .420 OBP, the team needs more production from José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo to support a pitching staff that has been carrying the load.
While the bats have been quiet, the arms have been electric. The pitching staff was a top-10 unit in June with a 3.79 ERA, a major credit to the game-calling of catcher Bo Naylor, who received a public vote of confidence from President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti. However, the biggest arm of all remains on the shelf. Shane Bieber is progressing to live batting practice, a great sign in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. But lingering elbow soreness has delayed his timeline, and it now seems almost certain we won't see the former Cy Young winner back on a big-league mound until after the All-Star break.
As the offense struggles and the trade deadline approaches, the noise from Triple-A Columbus is getting louder. Outfielder Chase DeLauter is putting on a clinic, hitting .305 and riding an incredible 26-game on-base streak. Not to be outdone, C.J. Kayfus has mashed his way to a .303 average with 10 home runs. These performances give the front office options. Do they call up the hot hands to inject life into the lineup, or do they use these valuable prospects as trade chips to acquire a proven big-league bat? It's the central dilemma facing the team as July gets underway.
The next few weeks are critical. A series win in Chicago could completely change the narrative heading into the All-Star break. But beyond that, all eyes will be on Chris Antonetti. With the offense sputtering and top prospects banging on the door, the front office faces a major decision: promote from within, or make a splash at the July 31 trade deadline? The answers will define the second half of the season.
