Guardians’ Manzardo Shines in Season Opener Against Royals

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Guardians kicked off their season with a thrilling victory over the Kansas City Royals, propelled by the standout performance of designated hitter Kyle Manzardo. In the season opener on Friday, Manzardo showcased his potential by hitting a double, a triple, and a two-run homer, accumulating four RBIs in the process.

With Josh Naylor, who recorded 108 RBIs and 31 home runs last season, sidelined, the Guardians were in search of a player to step up in his absence. Manzardo’s performance not only filled that gap but ignited excitement among fans and coaches alike. In the conclusion of the previous season, he showed promise by contributing five home runs and 15 RBIs over 53 games.

“We knew we needed someone to step up, and Kyle delivered,” said Guardians manager Terry Francona. “He’s capable of great things, and today was just a glimpse of what he can do for us this year.”

The Guardians scored a total of seven runs, clinching the game in extra innings and demonstrating their resilience on offense. This win marks a positive start to the season, with fans hopeful that Manzardo can sustain this level of performance throughout the year.

The Guardians will look to build on this momentum as they continue their series against the Royals, aiming to solidify their ranking in the American League Central.