Guardians hope to repeat as AL Central champs
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José Ramírez leads the Cleveland Guardians into the 2025 MLB season. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
Temperatures are rising, the birds are chirping and, in just one day, bats will commence cracking.
Why it matters: Excitement for the Guardians' season, which begins at 4:10pm Thursday in Kansas City against the Royals, is at a fever pitch.
- Cleveland looks to build on last season, which included an American League Central championship and nearly reaching the World Series.
State of play: The Guardians' two strengths are perennial MVP candidate José Ramírez and one of the league's best bullpens led by closer Emmanuel Clase.
- If starter Gavin Williams can bounce back from last season's elbow issues, it would boost Cleveland's starting pitching rotation until Shane Bieber returns from Tommy John surgery.
Yes, but: The Guardians are down an All-Star after trading first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Slade Cecconi.
- Naylor hit 31 home runs and drove in 108 RBIs last season.
Key player: Cleveland replaced Naylor with former Guardians star Carlos Santana, who's coming off a bounce-back season with the Minnesota Twins.
- The team will also rely on designated hitter Kyle Manzardo, who made his MLB debut last season and performed well down the stretch.
The other side: Repeating as AL Central champs won't be easy with the Royals, Twins and Detroit Tigers nipping at Cleveland's heels.
- ESPN ranked all three teams ahead of the Guardians in its season preview.
What they're saying: "What are we here for? We're here to win a World Series," reigning AL Manager of the Year Stephen Vogt told MLB Network earlier this month.
- "We're going to work every single day to get there."
How to watch: MLB will stream Guardians games this season for in-market fans via CLEGuardians.TV, after previous partner Bally Sports' parent company Diamond Sports Group declared bankruptcy.
- Guardians TV costs $19.99 per month or $99.99 for the season. MLB has yet to announce a cable or satellite partner for the platform.