Cleveland Guardians to Take on Cardinals and Royals in First Three Series of 2023 Season

Building on Momentum in 2022

The Cleveland Guardians, the 2022 American League Central Division champions, will open their 2023 season with three series against familiar rivals.

The Guardians will host the St. Louis Cardinals for two games on March 30th and 31st before traveling to Kansas City to face the Royals for a three-game series from April 3rd to 5th.

Cleveland will then return home to host the Royals for two games on April 7th and 8th before wrapping up their first homestand with a three-game series against the Cardinals from April 10th to 12th.

Familiar Opponents Pose Challenges

The Cardinals and Royals are both familiar foes for the Guardians, and both teams are expected to be competitive in 2023.

The Cardinals won 93 games last season and finished second in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Royals finished fourth in the AL Central with a record of 65-97.

The Guardians will need to be at their best to win these early-season series, as both the Cardinals and Royals have deep lineups and strong pitching staffs.

Ramírez to play Big Role

One of the keys to the Guardians' success in 2023 will be the continued development of third baseman José Ramírez.

Ramírez, who finished third in the AL MVP voting last season, is one of the most dynamic players in the game.

He is a switch-hitter with power, speed, and a strong arm, and he is also a Gold Glove-caliber defender.

Strong Rotation and Defense

In addition to Ramírez, the Guardians also have a strong starting rotation led by Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, and Cal Quantrill.

The team's defense is also one of the best in the league, led by shortstop Amed Rosario and center fielder Myles Straw.

If the Guardians can stay healthy and continue to play at a high level, they should be in contention for another AL Central title in 2023.