Locked On Guardians - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Guardians kick off their 2026 home opener against the Chicago Cubs, reigniting memories of the 2016 World Series. Can the Guardians seek revenge and turn early-season momentum into a long-term run? Hosts Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis cover Joey Cantillo’s home opener assignment, Travis Bazzana’s walk-off double for Columbus, and Ralphy Velazquez’s first homer of the season. The episode feat...

Cleveland Guardians stun the Los Angeles Dodgers as Gavin Williams delivers a historic, Cy Young-caliber performance—joining Corey Kluber and CC Sabathia as the only Cleveland pitchers to strike out 10 or more Dodgers in a game. Is this the start of a breakout season for Williams and the Guardians’ rotation? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians’ impressive West Coast road trip, high...

Cleveland Guardians fans find hope and heartbreak as Parker Messick silences the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup, resetting the Guardians’ pitching staff just as Chase DeLauter exits early with a foot injury. Is Cleveland’s promising road trip now in jeopardy? Jeff Ellis and Justin Lada react live to game two, spotlighting Tanner Bibee’s outing, the bullpen’s rollercoaster, and clutch moments from une...

Chase DeLauter earns his first official MLB accolade and sparks talk of a possible contract extension. What are the odds the Cleveland Guardians approach the wunderkind rookie with an extension? What makes the most sense? Meanwhile, Tanner Bibee gears up for a marquee pitching duel with Shohei Ohtani, and roster shakeups send Kolby Allard back to the bullpen while Doug Nikhazy aces DFA limbo. And...

Chase DeLauter launches a historic home run surge to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a solid split in their opening series against the Seattle Mariners. Can DeLauter’s breakout performance and the arrival of the medieval home run helmet ritual spark the Guardians offense and give them an outfielder that can surpass the 20 home-run mark? Hosts Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the electric seri...

The wait for the Cleveland Guardians Opening Day was worth the wait as Chase DeLauter blasts two home runs in a historic MLB debut. Could this be the outfield power the franchise has craved for over a decade? Justin Lada spotlights DeLauter's electric performance, breaks down bold 2022 draft decisions, and asks if DeLauter’s health can fuel a playoff run. We also cover Tanner Bibee's shoulder conc...

Cleveland Guardians shake up their roster by releasing Jonathan Rodriguez, sparking debate on whether it’s a critical misstep or a logical move for a contender. With Rodriguez’s impressive AAA stats and bat speed, could a struggling team take a chance on him? The spotlight also turns to the aftermath of the 2017 MLB draft, as Jeff Ellis analyzes how past picks like Tyler Freeman, Ernie Clement, an...

Mets and Dodgers gear up for a potential NL Pennant showdown? Which loaded roster has the edge? National League MVP and Cy Young frontrunners—Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes—may rewrite the record books, while the Cubs, Phillies, Brewers, and Pirates battle for playoff spots. Surprising predictions challenge the “loser” label on Pittsburgh, and bold takes on rotations and clubhouse chemistry shake u...

Cleveland Guardians gear up for a make-or-break 2026 as rising stars Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana aim to bring development and a playoff push. Can the Guardians’ youth movement overcome the Detroit Tigers' pitching juggernaut and claim the AL Central crown? Justin Lada  and Jeff Ellis give their bold predictions on team win totals, breakout candidates like Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick, pl...

Cleveland Guardians face roster crunch as Opening Day approaches—can Chase DeLauter (and eventually Travis Bazzana) change the team's offensive fortunes? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the battle for the final roster spots, possible trades involving Johnathan Rodriguez, and bold predictions for which Guardians starters inspire the most confidence this season. We debate Parker Messick, Slade...

Detroit Tigers load up with Framber Valdez, but will it finally be enough to capture the AL Central crown? With the division tighter than ever and stars like Tarik Skubal, Bobby Witt Jr., and Byron Buxton under the spotlight, hosts Justin Lada, Scott Bentley, Jack Johnson, CJ Baumgartner, and Todd Welter break down every team’s outlook for 2026—questioning whether Detroit’s aggressive off-season a...

Cleveland Guardians shake up the roster as MLB Opening Day approaches, Nolan Jones is outrighted, and Parker Messick gets the rotation nod. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians outfield puzzle, looking at Chase DeLauter's managed playing time, how the lineup shakes out between Angel Martinez, CJ Kayfus, and Daniel Schneeman. The show dissects the implications of Messick earning a sp...

The Cleveland Guardians pitching prospects electrify in the Spring Breakout game, with Joey Oakie, Yorman Gomez, Josh Hartle, and Braylon Dowdy showcasing big velocity, and eye-catching pitch data. Host Justin Lada breaks down standout performances, including Wuilfredo Antunez's power display and Cooper Ingle’s defensive gems. We also get into our mailbag with questions of a “way too early” ideal...

Which Cleveland Guardians minor league affiliates will be most fun to watch in 2026 with top prospects that could impact the major league club this year? How long will Travis Bazzana stay in Columbus? Will Ralphy Velazquez continue his big breakout in Double-A?Justin Lada ranks the most exciting Guardians minor league affiliates to watch, spotlighting other top prospects like Angel Genao, Khal Ste...

The Cleveland Guardians weigh future with Travis Bazzana’s starting the year in the minors. Do they need him on the roster NOW or the best version of Bazzana later in the year, and buy an extra year of service time? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis debate whether keeping Bazzana in the minors bolsters roster flexibility or risks a slow offensive start in the AL Central race. We analyze the ripple effect...

Cleveland Guardians fans get a front-row seat to Locked On Guardians fourth annual Guardians Prospect Draft as top prospects. We try to build the best team, freeze each other out of weak positions and show where the system is deep. Travis Bazzana, Ralphy Velazquez, Angel Genao, and Chase DeLauter are quickly snapped up. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis wage a strategic battle to assemble the ultimate fa...

The Cleveland Guardians’ offensive improvement hinge on health as , Chase DeLauter, Steven Kwan, and George Valera will all face injury questions in 2026, fair or not. Jose Ramirez's spring training scare highlights this concern. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down how the Guardians’ internal options and prospects handling spring adversity like Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson and Dylan DeLucia, while h...

Cleveland Guardians ramp up excitement for the MLB Draft, with Roch Cholowsky emerging as the consensus top pick. Will the team’s new strategies and focus on dynamic prospects like Gridlinger and Aiden Robbins continue to elevate their farm system? Jeff Ellis breaks down the latest Locked On Guardians mock draft, spotlighting potential selections, sleeper candidates, and the shifting landscape cre...

Are spring training standouts the real deal or just eyewash? Justin Lada dissects what truly matters for the Cleveland Guardians Cactus League action, challenging the hype surrounding hot starts and analyzing meaningful stats like chase rate, whiff rate, and zone contact. We dig deep into data on prospects and notable regulars Ralphy Velazquez, Kahlil Watson, Gabriel Arias, Chase DeLauter, and Kyl...

Cleveland Guardians Tanner Bibee looks to be on track for Opening Day and the bullpen could be shaping up with Hunter Gaddis’s uncertain status. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down Bibee's cutter-heavy outing, analyze the latest bullpen trust ranking with Gaddis' injury behind Cade Smith and Shawn Armstrong and debate the impact of Peyton Pallette and Colin Holderman in the relief corps. The off...

Travis Bazzans's early exit from the World Baseball Classic may be a blessing for the Cleveland Guardians, fast-tracking his return to camp to get ready for the 2026 season. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down Bazzana's standout moments on the international stage, his defensive growth, and what facing top-tier crowds means for his big league future. The battle for the Guardians’ fifth rotation s...

Cleveland Guardians' bullpen depth faces early tests as Hunter Gaddis battles forearm soreness. Can the Guardians' revamped bullpen hold up without key contributors on Opening Day? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis debate the outlook for pitchers like Hunter Gaddis, Daniel Espino, and looking at the run for Rhys Hoskins’ role at first base and DH after a slow spring start. We also debate the outfield puz...

Cleveland Guardians crush the Chicago White Sox as Tanner Bibee dazzles on the mound and Travis Bazzana’s World Baseball Classic power surge captures fans’ imaginations. Are the Guardians poised for a breakout season, or is spring training hype blinding us to the real story?   Jeff Ellis breaks down the blowout win, spotlighting standout performances from Angel Martinez, CJ Kayfus, and the birthda...

World Baseball Classic fever hits Cleveland as all eyes turn to Travis Bazzana and Team Australia, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and top-tier international talent providing high-stakes tests. Can Bazzana leverage the global stage as a springboard to MLB stardom? Justin Lada highlights Guardians prospects Dylan DeLucia and Matt Festa with Team Italy, Logan Allen leading Panama’s rotation, and Canada’s Bo...

Can the Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana lead a new era of Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic? The 2026 WBC hype reaches USA with renewed commitment from starts. Even though he's not pitching, Shohei Ohtani is still the biggest force for Japan and may be the globe’s most iconic sports figure. Will Team USA’s firepower be enough, or are Japan and the Dominican Republic poised to domina...