Cleveland Guardians Stun with Strong Start Against Top Teams

The Guardians have won two out of three series against the Mariners, Dodgers, and Cubs to open the season.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:35am

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The Cleveland Guardians have gotten off to an impressive start to the 2026 MLB season, going 6-4 through their first 10 games against three playoff-caliber teams - the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs. Despite facing this daunting early schedule, the Guardians have managed to win two out of the three series, putting them atop the AL Central division.

Why it matters

This strong start is a departure from the Guardians' recent history of slow starts under manager Stephen Vogt. Last year, the team mounted a huge comeback to win the AL Central, and fans are hoping this year's squad can maintain a more consistent level of success throughout the season.

The details

The Guardians split their opening series 2-2 against the Mariners, then took two of three games from the defending champion Dodgers. They followed that up by winning two of three against the Cubs, including a doubleheader on Easter Sunday. Through these first 10 games against three playoff teams, the Guardians have yet to lose a series.

  • The Guardians opened the season against the Mariners.
  • They then faced the Dodgers in their second series.
  • The Cubs were the Guardians' third opponent to start the year.

The players

Stephen Vogt

The current manager of the Cleveland Guardians, who led the team to a surprise AL Central title last season after a huge in-season comeback.

Terry Francona

The former manager of the Guardians, who established a pattern of slow starts followed by strong finishes during his tenure with the team.

Chase DeLauter

A Guardians player who has gotten off to a hot start, hitting 5 home runs in the first 10 games of the season.

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What’s next

The Guardians will look to continue their strong start when they face the Kansas City Royals in their next series.

The takeaway

The Guardians' impressive start against three playoff-caliber teams has fans in Cleveland excited about the potential for a more consistent and successful season, a departure from the team's recent history of slow starts followed by late-season surges.