Guardians are back — if you can stay awake
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Cleveland legend José Ramírez circling the bags. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
The Cleveland Guardians open their 2026 season on the road Thursday night in Seattle.
Why it matters: Snag an afternoon nap or chug an energy drink after dinner if you expect to stay awake for a game with a first pitch at 10:10pm ET.
The big picture: Despite the third-lowest payroll in the Majors, Cleveland has built a consistent contender — winning back-to-back AL Central titles and two consecutive Manager of the Year awards for Stephen Vogt.
- But the Guards also have the longest World Series drought in baseball, having last won in 1948.
Driving the news: The 2026 roster looks familiar, if slightly younger. The penny-pinching front office made no moves of significance this offseason and is hoping that internal growth will pave the road to success.
Zoom in: Tanner Bibee gets his first Opening Day start and leads a strong rotation that includes Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick.
- Stars José Ramírez and Steven Kwan remain the lineup's anchors.
- Veteran Rhys Hoskins, most recently of the Brewers, was ostensibly acquired to boost an offense that ranked among the league's worst last year.
Yes, but: Hoskins hit only 12 home runs with a batting average of .237 for Milwaukee last year.
Between the lines: Cleveland is leaning heavily on a wave of young talent.
- Prospects Chase DeLauter, CJ Kayfus and Kyle Manzardo are expected to take on bigger roles in an anemic offense that scored the fewest runs in baseball last season.
📺 Where we're watching: All over the place, evidently. The four-game series against Seattle will air in multiple locations beyond CleGuardians.TV.
- AppleTV will have the Friday game, while Peacock takes over Sunday night with a more reasonable first pitch at 7:20pm.
- Otherwise, a team spokesperson says to expect the same cable providers from last year to air games this season.
What's next: The home opener is next Friday against the Chicago Cubs.
- The new blue seats at Progressive Field should be fully installed.