Guardians glad to be back home after tough opening road trip

CLEVELAND — The Guardians are coming home after a season-opening, nine-game road trip left them with a 3-6 record and questions concerning the rotation, closer Emmanuel Clase and the lineup — except for Jose Ramirez, of course. Ramirez belted four home runs over eight games, but not much else went well for the reigning Central Division champions, who host the White Sox in the home opener Tuesday at 4:10. "I think it's tough in general," left fielder Steven Kwan said of starting the season on the road following Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Angels in which Cleveland managed only three hits. "You still have all your suitcases from spring training, and it's tough to get settled in. I think it's just tough on everybody." The Guardians' pitching staff posted a 5.09 ERA during the trip, allowing 14 home runs and walking 31 batters in 76 innings. Clase, the best closer in the game last season until the playoffs, had a couple poor outings, and the defense committed nine errors. The offense sputtered to a .221 average and fewer than three runs per game. "It's guys are getting their feet wet, guys are getting ready for the season," reigning AL manager of the year Stephen Vogt said after Sunday's loss. "It's early and we gotta long way to go. I've got so much faith in this group. This is just a blip. This is just a start. That's all it is, is a start. "We're pumped to get back home. We know we're gonna be better than this, offensively. We know we're gonna be better than this, defensively, and we're gonna pitch better. I've got the utmost confidence in my guys." When they return to Cleveland today, the Guardians will play at newly renovated Progressive Field, where right-hander Ben Lively will take the mound against righty Shane Smith. Lively, who filled in for an ill Tanner Bibee on opening day in Kansas City, has offered up two mediocre outings thus far. Gates open at 2 o'clock for Progressive Field's 32nd home opener, with the pregame festivities focusing on extraordinary accomplishments by Ohioans.Jack Sawyer, a Pickerington native and star on Ohio State's national title football team, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Steve Colavito, the son of Cleveland baseball legend Rocky Colavito. Steve Colavito spent time in Cleveland's minor league system. Barbara Robinson, the wife of the majors' first Black manager and former Cleveland player and manager Frank Robinson, and her daughter Nichelle Robinson, will deliver the lineup card to commemorate Robinson's managerial debut for Cleveland on April 8, 1975. In remembrance of owner Larry Dolan, who passed Feb. 24, Dolan's grandson Jack Dolan will deliver the official game ball to the mound.Members of the string section from the Cleveland Orchestra will perform the national anthem. Fans in attendance will receive schedule and car magnets. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.