Guardians Bullpen Shines in Loss to Dodgers

Kolby Allard and Matt Festa provide much-needed relief for the overworked Guardians bullpen

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:43pm

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In Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Dodgers, left-hander Kolby Allard and right-hander Matt Festa stepped up to give the Guardians' bullpen a much-needed boost. Allard, who joined the team on Monday, pitched 2 2/3 innings and struck out five, while Festa relieved Allard and got through the seventh and eighth innings despite running into some trouble.

Why it matters

The Guardians' bullpen had been taxed early in the season due to some short outings from the starting pitchers. Allard and Festa's performances on Tuesday gave the rest of the relievers a chance to rest, which will be crucial as the team navigates a tough early-season schedule.

The details

Allard replaced starter Tanner Bibee, who left the game with a sore right shoulder. Allard, who was stretched out in spring training to provide rotation depth, was ready to go and ended up throwing 55 pitches. Festa then came in and struck out Mookie Betts to end the seventh inning, though he allowed two runs in the eighth.

  • Allard joined the Guardians on Monday from their training facility in Goodyear, Arizona.
  • Allard replaced Bibee in the fifth inning on Tuesday night.

The players

Kolby Allard

A left-handed pitcher who joined the Guardians on Monday and provided 2 2/3 innings of relief, striking out five batters.

Matt Festa

A right-handed reliever who came in after Allard and got through the seventh and eighth innings, though he ran into some trouble in the eighth.

Tanner Bibee

The Guardians' starting pitcher, who left the game early with a sore right shoulder.

Stephen Vogt

The Guardians' manager, who praised Allard and Festa's performances for giving the rest of the bullpen a much-needed break.

Max Muncy

The Dodgers' slugger who hit a solo home run off Allard in the game.

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What they’re saying

“What Kolby and Festa were able to do Tuesday gave everybody in the pen a full day off. Some guys have had multiple days off.”

— Stephen Vogt, Guardians Manager

“I thought there was a decent chance I'd get in the game with Tanner's thing going on. I thought there was a chance they'd limit him. I was ready to go.”

— Kolby Allard, Guardians Pitcher

What’s next

The Guardians will look to bounce back in the series finale against the Dodgers on Wednesday before heading home to face the Cubs in their home opener on Friday.

The takeaway

The Guardians' bullpen depth was tested early in the season, but Allard and Festa stepped up in a big way on Tuesday to give the rest of the relievers a much-needed breather. This will be crucial as the team navigates a tough early-season schedule.