The Cleveland Guardians return home after a tough start to the season, having gone 3-6 on their opening road trip, facing off against the formidable San Diego Padres. Notably, the dynamic duo of Steven Kwan and José Ramírez has shined, with Kwan boasting a .353 batting average and Ramírez slugging four home runs. However, the Guardians are struggling to find consistency in right field, with Nolan Jones and Jhonkensy Noel failing to produce. Kyle Manzardo's promising start may lead to increased at-bats against lefties, while Triston McKenzie has been dealing with command issues in the bullpen.

The San Diego Padres continue to make history, improving to 6-0 with a commanding 7-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. This marks the best start in Padres' franchise history, surpassing their previous best of 4-0. Key to this performance was starter Michael King, who struck out 11 batters in five innings, allowing only two hits. The Padres' bullpen remained impenetrable, adding four more scoreless innings to their streak of not conceding a run after the sixth inning this season.

Offensively, Jackson Merrill's solo home run opened the scoring, followed by a balanced attack that saw contributions from Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado, both with two hits each. Fernando Tatis Jr. added two RBIs through productive outs, maximizing opportunities despite not registering a hit. The Guardians struggled offensively with only two hits, unable to capitalize on scoring chances. Cleveland's Logan Allen pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs, striking out just one and surrendering five walks.

Cleveland Guardians have made a significant commitment to right-hander Tanner Bibee, signing him to a five-year, $48 million contract with a potential extension worth $68 million. Bibee, who had a strong 2023 season with a 3.47 ERA and 12 wins, is set to be the team's opening day starter this Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.

This contract also includes escalating salary options based on Cy Young voting, highlighting the team's belief in his potential. Bibee joins a youthful rotation, especially with key pitcher Shane Bieber sidelined as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Guardians recently traded Tyler Freeman for Nolan Jones, further shaping their roster for the upcoming season.

The Cleveland Guardians are finalizing their roster decisions ahead of the 2025 season, with key questions remaining for the second base position and rotation. The team is optimistic about Bo Naylor's potential to enhance their offense, particularly after a promising minor league season. Infield competition is heating up, with players like Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann emerging as strong candidates for short-term roles. As for outfielders, Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan will likely share time in right field.

On the pitching front, Tanner Bibee is set to start on Opening Day, but the fifth starter role is up for grabs, particularly with Triston McKenzie struggling. The bullpen looks solid with Emmanuel Clase leading the way, while Andrew Walters could also secure a spot. Overall, the Guardians aim to balance immediate needs with future potential as they head into the new season.

As we look forward to the 2025 fantasy baseball season, it's crucial to identify pitchers to avoid during drafts. Five names stand out: Jesus Luzardo, Frankie Montas, Brady Singer, Triston McKenzie, and Kyle Hendricks. Each has shown inconsistent performance and concerning trends that suggest they may not meet the expectations of fantasy owners.

Jesus Luzardo, now with the Philadelphia Phillies, had a tough 2024, managing just a 5.00 ERA. His drop in strikeout rate raises red flags, making him a risky pick. Frankie Montas, currently with the New York Mets, is facing injury setbacks and has struggled with inconsistency, casting doubt on his reliability. Brady Singer's move to Cincinnati's hitter-friendly park could exacerbate his issues. In Cleveland, Triston McKenzie has not returned to form after injuries, and veteran Kyle Hendricks from the Los Angeles Angels has shown significant decline, making them all potential pitfalls in your drafts.