The Cleveland Guardians return to Progressive Field on May 26, 2025, to host the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers with a 27–22 record and their sights set firmly on remaining in the thick of the AL Central race. Though they have dropped six of their last ten and have a 4–6 record against the spread in that span, the Guardians have held their own through a combination of solid starting pitching, reliable bullpen arms, and the steady leadership of superstar José Ramírez. Ramírez continues to be the heartbeat of the club, contributing both offensively and defensively with consistent production, elite baserunning, and clutch plate appearances that have anchored a lineup still looking for more support. While Cleveland’s offense has averaged just 3.5 runs per game over their last ten outings, their ability to manufacture runs through small ball, aggressive base-running, and capitalizing on defensive miscues keeps them competitive, even when the long ball isn’t a major factor. Monday’s starter Gavin Williams will be tasked with slowing down a dangerous Dodgers lineup, and while his 4–2 record and 3.94 ERA don’t place him among the league’s elite, he has demonstrated poise and toughness in key situations. Williams features a high-velocity fastball and an evolving secondary pitch mix that has helped him pitch deep into games when he’s commanding the strike zone.

He’ll need to be at his best to contain an offense as deep and powerful as Los Angeles, which includes MVP-level talent at nearly every spot in the order. The Guardians’ bullpen has been one of their stronger assets, with a group of dependable arms that have effectively preserved leads and kept games within reach late, a trait that could be vital in a close, low-scoring affair. Defensively, Cleveland remains one of the more fundamentally sound teams in the American League, minimizing errors and executing double plays with precision—a crucial advantage when playing a team that thrives on creating chaos on the basepaths. The challenge for Cleveland in this game is not just stopping the Dodgers’ offense, but also finding ways to scratch across runs against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who enters the game with a 1.86 ERA and dominant stuff that can shut down even the best hitters. Manager Stephen Vogt will likely emphasize aggressive situational hitting, trying to get runners on early and move them over while avoiding wasted opportunities, especially in the middle innings. If the Guardians can keep the game close and get to the Dodgers’ bullpen with a tie or small deficit, their ability to win close games could come into play. With a supportive holiday crowd behind them and the added motivation of going up against one of the league’s best teams, Cleveland has a chance to prove they belong among the contenders. A strong outing from Williams, timely hits from Ramírez, and a clean defensive performance would give the Guardians a legitimate shot to hand the Dodgers a rare loss and gain a critical win in their push to stay competitive in the American League playoff race.