Lack of Execution With Runners in Scoring Position Plaguing Guardians Offense

The Cleveland Guardians have lost yet another game.

Since the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline has passed, the new-look Guardians have won just one outing, losing the other six that they have played.

On Tuesday, August 11, the Guardians took on the Detroit Tigers from Comerica Park, dropping the first outing of a three-game set, 6-4. The struggles the team went through were obvious on the offensive end, as opportunity after opportunity failed to be capitalized on.

By the end of the contest, the Guardians had posted nine hits and seven walks, but left 11 on base and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

When asked about the team's struggles, manager Stephen Vogt shared that it's just been a bit of a rut they haven't been able to climb out of yet.

“You know it's one of those things that's funny," Vogt began. "When you look at this offense a year ago, it was hard to get on base, but when we did get on base, we were driving runners in. And then this year it feels like we're getting on base, just not driving runners in. So it's one of those things that we're going to continue to talk about and work through and learn. And it's just kind of been a rut right now with the runners in scoring position.

"But like I've said, and I maintain, it's going to break free at some point, and we just have to continue to get our focus in the middle of the field in those situations and take what the pitchers give us. And it's easier said than done. These pitchers have really good stuff, but I still maintain this is coming.”

(Via #Guardians audio) Stephen Vogt to reporters in Detroit on the teams struggles with runners in scoring position:

“I mean, we're like I've been saying, we're doing a lot of things really well. We're just it seems to be the runner's scoring position that continues to give us…
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) August 12, 2026

Scoring on Tuesday was Steven Kwan twice, Chase DeLauter once and Jo Adell the other time, with each reaching base three or more times. They put themselves in position to get across home plate at least once.

However, it wasn't just them. Others got on base as well, although it wasn't as frequently, but it still put the team in a position to stay in the contest.

José Ramírez drew just one walk, Nathaniel Lowe smacked a hit, Travis Bazzana got on base a few times and Angel Martinez recorded one knock.

DeLauter went on to echo the statement shared by Vogt, as he also believes the organization will be able to turn this trend around sooner rather than later.

“It kind of sounds like a cliché, but not making it a big deal," DeLauter said when asked about how the team doesn't get too frustrated about such circumstances. "I mean, at the end of the day, to me, it's the same thing as, you know, nobody on as far as taking the same swing. Obviously, you have a runner on third instead of second; it’s a different story. But even a guy in scoring position, kind of up there trying to get a pitch in the zone and try to put your best swing on it. I mean, you know, no one's going to hate you if you do that.

"I think we have to start to press. I mean, you know, I'm one who does the exact same thing. You know, I kind of chase a little more, and maybe hit some things just because I can hit them instead of getting my pitch. You know, that's just part of it.”

(Via #Guardians audio) Chase DeLauter on to reporters in Detroit on how Cleveland doesn’t get too much into their heads with runners in scoring position as the team has struggles with RISP:
“it kind of sounds like cliche, but not making it a big deal. I mean, it's at the end of…
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) August 12, 2026

The Guardians, hoping to get back in the win column and continuing to push for a top spot in the American League Central, will square off against the Tigers for game two of the series on Wednesday night at 6:40 p.m. EST.

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