Baseball is a funny game, honestly. One minute you're watching Shohei Ohtani launch a first-pitch home run that leaves the bat at 115 mph, and the next, you’re witnessing a 23-year-old utility player named Angel Martínez basically single-handedly dismantle the most expensive roster in sports history.
The most recent showdown between the Dodgers vs Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field wasn't just another stop on the long MLB calendar. It was a clash of identities. On one side, you have the "Glamour Boys" from Los Angeles, a team that feels more like an All-Star squad than a regular franchise. On the other, the Cleveland Guardians, a team that survives on "Guards Ball"—a gritty, chaotic style of play that emphasizes contact, speed, and a "never say die" attitude that drives opponents crazy.
If you missed the May 2025 series, you missed a masterpiece of momentum swings.
The Yamamoto Clinic and the Ohtani Power Show
The series kicked off with Yoshinobu Yamamoto looking like he was playing a video game on easy mode. He sat down Steven Kwan—one of the hardest guys in the league to strike out—on three pitches to start the game. It was a statement. Yamamoto ended up going six innings, giving up just two runs and striking out seven.
But the real story of the night was Shohei Ohtani.
He didn't wait. He didn't see pitches. He took a low, inside fastball from Gavin Williams on the very first pitch of the game and sent it 378 feet into the right-field seats. That was his 19th home run of the season, and it wasn't even June yet. The Dodgers cruised to a 7-2 win, and it felt like Cleveland was just outmatched.
Why the Guardians "Guards Ball" Actually Works
Most people look at the Guardians' lineup and wonder how they stay competitive. They don't have the $300 million contracts. What they have is José Ramírez, who is arguably the most underrated superstar of this generation. During that series, Ramírez extended his hitting streak to a career-high 19 games. He’s the engine.
But "Guards Ball" is about more than just J-Ram. It’s about guys like Angel Martínez.
In the series finale, the Dodgers sent Clayton Kershaw to the mound. Now, Kershaw isn't the 98-mph fireballer he used to be. He’s a surgeon now. He struggled with his mechanics, laboring through 26 pitches in the first inning alone. Still, he gutted out five innings, leaving the game with a lead.
Then the wheels fell off for the LA bullpen.
The Dodgers were missing five key arms to injury—Phillips, Kopech, Treinen, Yates, and Graterol. That’s a lot of talent on the IL. Cleveland smelled blood. In the eighth inning, with the Dodgers clinging to a lead, Angel Martínez stepped up against lefty Alex Vesia.
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Martínez is a switch-hitter who had never hit a home run from the right side of the plate in his career. Not one.
He worked the count, saw a 91-mph fastball down the middle, and crushed a three-run go-ahead shot. The stadium went nuts. Cleveland avoided the sweep with a 7-4 win, proving that in a short series, grit often beats a high tax bracket.
Key Takeaways from the Matchup
The season series between these two usually comes down to three specific factors:
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- Starting Pitching vs. Bullpen Depth: The Dodgers usually win the "starter" battle, but their high-usage bullpen often gets exposed by Cleveland's relentless plate discipline.
- The Power Gap: LA plays for the three-run homer. Cleveland plays for the "station-to-station" rally. When the wind is blowing out at Progressive Field, LA has the edge. When it's a cold, damp night, Cleveland’s style shines.
- Defensive Versatility: Angel Martínez playing four different positions and throwing out Freddie Freeman at second base was a turning point. Cleveland plays better defense across the board, which saves their pitchers when they get into jams.
What to Watch Next
If you're tracking these two teams, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Dodgers' pitching staff. Their dominance is entirely dependent on having a healthy rotation for the postseason. For the Guardians, the focus is on the health of Steven Kwan’s wrist and whether their young outfielders can keep up this level of production.
The next time these two meet, don't just look at the names on the back of the jerseys. Look at the pitch counts. The Guardians win by making you throw 25 pitches an inning until your arm falls off. The Dodgers win by hitting the ball into the next zip code.
Check the current AL Central standings to see if Cleveland has maintained their lead over the Twins, as their performance against big-market teams like the Dodgers often dictates their confidence heading into the October stretch. If you're betting on future matchups, look at the "under" when both teams have their aces (like Yamamoto vs. Bibee) on the mound, but expect fireworks if the Dodgers are forced to rely on their middle relief.