The California Penal League

The Cleveland Guardians are going to exit April over .500 and Tanner Bibee just put in his best start of the young season, but there are plenty of things that have us uneasy about the rest of the year. What's going well and what's currently an issue for this team? We review April and look ahead to May in our latest episode - be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod and on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a difference a few series can make. The Cleveland Guardians were mired in mediocrity to start the season, but appear to be turning a corner following series wins against the Pirates and Yankees. With one of the best records in the AL thanks to a hot stretch, is this the Guardians team we can expect to see the rest of the season? Catch us on social @calpenalpod and on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a disappointing series in Baltimore, the Cleveland Guardians' flaws are certainly bubbling to the surface more than we'd like to see. Will a weekend series in Pittsburgh help the rotation and offense get back on track? After all, a series with the New York Yankees is looming next week... be sure to catch us on social @calpenalpod or on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Gabriel Arias is off to the best start of his career, which has us asking the question: Is he finally tapping into his tantalizing potential? It's still early, but he's certainly bolstering the Guardians' lineup in the early going. Be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod and on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of the weekend series win against the Kansas City Royals, Chris is looking at a roller coaster of a week in which the Guardians got back on track following the bumpy end to their opening road trip. Are the Guardians finally settling in to the 2025 season? Be sure to follow us on social at @calpenalpod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some early trends are emerging for the 2025 Cleveland Guardians - some good, some bad. Here is what we like - and what truly concerns us - about the team so far in the young season. Catch us on social @calpenalpod or on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nine games in and it's clear the Cleveland Guardians have a lot of things to fix. What's been going right? What's been going wrong? Nobody's talking about the beloved panic button by any means, but the Guardians do need to figure out their identity and what will work for them this season with just a bit more urgency. Catch us on social @calpenalpod or on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are officially rolling on the 2025 Guardians season! It's the smallest of sample sizes, but let's take a look at what we've liked - and not liked - so far in the young campaign. Be sure to follow us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The time has come for our third annual Cleveland Guardians season predictions! In this packed season preview episode, we throw out all of our 2025 predictions for both the lineup and Guardians pitching staff. Be sure to check back in October when we look back at how terrible we did! We did it - the season is finally here! Catch us on social all year long @calpenalpod while you're at it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the crew as we continue our look at the Cleveland Guardians' 2024 spring training - who is standing out? How is the Opening Day roster taking shape? Why can't the season just start already? All this and more in our latest episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring training is off and running for the Cleveland Guardians! Though there isn't a *ton* of news coming out so far, there's plenty to start unpacking, so let's do a quick check in on what's going in in the Guardians universe. Be sure to check us out on social too @calpenalpod or on Substack at https://clevelandguardians.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have their fingerprints all over this year's Hall of Fame class, including beloved broadcaster Tom Hamilton. Will this also be the year Kenny Lofton finally gets some true consideration through the Contemporary Committee later this year? We talk about all of this and more - including the team's... perplexing offseason - in our latest episode. Be sure to catch us on social too @calpenalpod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the Cleveland Guardians a better team heading into the 2025 season? That's a complicated, tough question to ask, and there's a good argument to be made that they aren't. But at the same time, maybe we just need to keep trusting the Cleveland pitching factory - it's gotten us this far, hasn't it? Be sure to catch us on social media @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We'll cover this topic in more depth throughout the offseason and season, but here are some initial thoughts about the Cleveland Guardians trade first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Slade Cecconi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your head still spinning from the Cleveland Guardians trading Platinum Glover and fan-favorite second baseman Andres Gimenez? We're here to break it all down and, hopefully, make you feel better in the process. Be sure to catch us on social media too @calpenalpod for all offseason news and updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here at the California Penal League, we hold ourselves accountable when it comes to our preseason predictions. Let's look back at our predictions for the 2024 Cleveland Guardians offense and see just how right - and wrong - we were. Be sure to catch us on social media too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no other way to say it: The Cleveland Guardians had an incredible 2024 campaign. It certainly didn't end the way anyone would have wanted, but the future is once again quite bright in Cleveland. Let's take a look back at the magical season for the AL Central champs and look forward to what should be another fun 2025 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees are facing off in the 2024 ALCS, and we're here to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly, all while enjoying the ride of this season and looking forward to an even brighter future. Be sure to catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ALDS is tied at one game apiece, which isn't so bad, but the path to getting there is a tough pill to swallow, considering Emmanuel Clase got rocked for a three-run homer in Game 2 that sent the Tigers home with a split. Now it's Cleveland's turn to win a game - or two - on the road. Let's take a look at what it'll take. Be sure to catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians are rumbling into the 2024 MLB postseason with a bye to the ALDS and the best bullpen in baseball. Not to mention a few ultra-hot hitters that could make things very interesting in October. Let's dive in and preview what could be an October to remember for the Guards. Catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite every obstacle thrown their way this season, the Cleveland Guardians have persevered, and now they find themselves right on the precipice of not just the postseason, but an AL Central division title. We talk through the final two weeks of the season, what got the team to this point, and how they might stack up in October. Be sure to catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians endured a rocky August, nearly losing their lead on the AL Central to the Kansas City Royals. But they've appeared to right the ship heading into the final month of the season. Still, it's a tight race and the Guardians have much to improve on if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. Here's a look at the state of the team heading into what should be a thrilling stretch run. Be sure to follow us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 MLB season sure is funky. The Cleveland Guardians are fighting for the best record in baseball - even while slumping - and at the same time, are barely holding their head above water against the likes of the Twins and Royals in the AL Central. Things are getting tight across the board, which should make for an exciting stretch run. After you've checked out this episode, be sure to check us out on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have faced their fair share of adversity this season, and yet they remain near the top of Major League Baseball's best teams. The schedule doesn't get any easier, and the Twins and Royals remain close in the rearview mirror, but the Guards are priming themselves for a fun stretch run. Strap in! Be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians are in a tough stretch all the way to the end of the season. Did they do enough at the trade deadline to bolster the roster? Who else can come up and help as the team makes its final run at the postseason? We talk about all that and more in our latest episode. Be sure to catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded prior to this year's trade deadline, Fabs and Chris take stock of the Cleveland Guardians and the rest of Major League Baseball as we begin our march towards the season's stretch run. Be sure to also check us out on social at @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a July it's been (and still going to be) for the Cleveland Guardians. There's a little something of everything going on with this team, and it should only get better as the stretch run continues. Let's take stock of the team out of the All-Star break and start looking towards the trade deadline. Be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians are sitting atop the AL Central - and nearly the entire American League - with one month to go until the trade deadline. Not to mention the team has the first pick in the upcoming MLB draft, too. July is a going to be a busy month for the organization, and we'll get you ready for it with our latest episode. While you're at it, be sure to also catch us on social @calpenalpod and on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony and Chris ramble as the Cleveland Guardians continue to roll into the middle of June, still atop the AL Central. They cover a sweeping set of Guardians topics to prep you for the push towards the All-Star break and the all-important trade deadline. Be sure to follow us on social at @calpenalpod and Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians are one of the best teams in baseball this season, but they've got plenty of room for improvement if they want to make a deep postseason run. So who are some ideal early trade deadline targets for the team? We'll discuss that and more - and be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod and on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have a soft upcoming schedule heading into June, which means they could start separating themselves from the rest of the AL Central. Only time will tell, but the good times keep rolling for one of baseball's most surprising teams this season. Be sure to check us out on social @calpenalpod or on Substack at clevelandguardians.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 Cleveland Guardians are officially fun. And not only fun, but really darn good, as it looks like this team is going to be sticking around for the long haul. Let's dive into what makes them so good to start 2024 and what they can do to keep it rolling (i.e. keep wearing the City Connects). Catch us on social too @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have finished a fantastic April that sees them as one of the best teams in the American League. But there are a few underlying issues the team needs to address moving forward if they want to stay in contention. We'll talk about that and more in our latest episode, and be sure to follow us on social media @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our latest episode, we look at how the Cleveland Guardians have raced out to being one of the best teams in baseball. What will it take for them to keep playing at this pace and what can fans expect moving forward? Let's discuss this exciting start and more, and then be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently leading all of baseball in hits, Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan is positioning himself for perhaps the best season of his young career. Check us out on social while you're at it @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're a little late with our 2024 over/unders for the pitching staff, but better late than never. But hey, let's talk about an intriguing start from the Cleveland Guardians offense while we're at it, okay? Be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 MLB season is getting ever closer, so we're doing our second annual over/under predictions for the Cleveland Guardians, looking first at the offense. Check out our predictions and be sure to return at the end of the season to make fun of how wrong we were. Follow us on social media @calpenalpod while you're at it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians are once again the youngest team in Major League Baseball. However, the early returns in spring training are quite promising - we think. Can we even trust the hot starts of a few prospects? What can we really expect from this team in a weak AL Central division? Let's figure this out, and then be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a quiet offseason all around baseball, with many free agents still unsigned. That being said, pitchers and catchers have started reporting and there is a light at the end of the tunnel - a new MLB season is nearly upon us. Let's wrap up some offseason loose ends and look forward to 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The baseball offseason drags on and the Cleveland Guardians are, well… not doing much. But until that gloriously day when pitchers and catchers report, let's take a break and watch a movie together. Today we're checking out the 1996 movie “Ed,” in which two adults leave a wild chimpanzee alone with a child for many hours, along with some other stuff. Check us out on social @calpenalpod while you're at it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, this isn't the offseason any Cleveland Guardians fan wanted, though it might have been expected. What are we to make of it? Do the Guardians feel that strongly about their internal options that we could be surprised this season? Let's dig in and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Major League Baseball's infinite wisdom, the league announced the 2023 All-MLB Team over the weekend but didn't really tell anyone about it. Apparently, some Cleveland Guardians made the list! Let's take a look at who made the list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have been making some interesting moves this offseason, including re-signing catcher Austin Hedges, whose contributions will perhaps be felt in the clubhouse more than anywhere else (which is something the team sorely needs). Let's look at that move and more in our latest episode (and catch us on social @calpenalpod while you're at it).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians have been surprisingly busy already this offseason, so let's see what they've been up to and what it might mean for the rest of the winter. Check us out on social too @calpenalpod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're wrapping up our two-part series on revisiting our predictions for the 2023 Cleveland Guardians, focusing now on our predictions for the pitching staff. Let's see how we did - be sure to follow us too on social @calpenalpod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We made a bunch of over/under predictions for the 2023 Cleveland Guardians season, and now in the cold light of day, we revisit those props. In this episode, we look at our predictions for the offense, which vastly underperformed in almost every way. So this should be fun! Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe and to check out our writing on awaybackgone.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cleveland Guardians' season is officially over, and while it didn't go the way anyone would have liked or predicted, there is hope for 2024. Let's recap a disappointing 2023 season and look forward to better days next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the season winds down, what are the September storylines you're looking at for the Cleveland Guardians? Which young players are you paying attention to? Would seeing Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie escape unscathed after a few starts be enough of a win for you? Which recently acquired players should the Guardians consider bringing back in 2024? Let's see what the final month has in store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The season isn't quite over yet and the Cleveland Guardians TECHNICALLY still have a chance, but we're going to use this episode to say our goodbyes to the 2023 season and look ahead to what this team might look like in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much like the rest of this season, the Cleveland Guardians had a somewhat confusing, frustrating trade deadline, but it likely sets them up for a much better 2024 outlook. Let's dive into the trade deadline moves and more in our latest episode, and be sure to follow us on social @calpenalpod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie being hurt doesn't do much to inspire confidence in the Cleveland Guardians' postseason hopes, but they're still in the AL Central hunt, and a move or two could really swing things in their favor now and into the future. Let's look at what the upcoming trade deadline could mean for the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices