Guardians: Five things to watch in home opener

The Guardians are off to a positive start, having won four of seven games on their difficult season-opening West Coast trip through Seattle and Los Angeles. Cleveland split the first series, a four-game set against the reigning AL West champion Mariners, before taking two of three from the two-time defending world champion Dodgers. Now, it's time for the home opener at Progressive Field this afternoon. Here are five things to watch as the two-time defending Central Division champs host the Chicago Cubs at 4:10. Freshman phenom Things couldn't have begun better for rookie Chase DeLauter, who became only the second player in major league history to hit four home runs in the first three games of his career. But, in true Cleveland sports fashion, the fast start was halted when DeLauter fouled a ball off his left foot — the same foot he had surgery on twice to delay his ascent to the big leagues — and had to leave Tuesday's game. Though X-rays were negative, he wasn't in the lineup for the series finale against the Dodgers on Wednesday — manager Stephen Vogt said it was a scheduled day off — and is questionable for the home opener. Time to worry? With the loss of elite closer Emmanuel Clase to suspension, new faces and new roles — at least to start the season with right-hander Hunter Gaddis on the injured list — the bullpen was a question mark to begin the year. It didn't start well, especially where Clase's replacement, right-hander Cade Smith, is concerned. Smith, who is his first year as a full-time closer, allowed runs in three of his four appearances, and brings a bulky 9.00 ERA into the home opener. After initially struggling upon taking over for Clase last year, it appeared Smith had figured out the role, but it looks as though it's going to take a little more time. Bat chat The Guardians have struggled offensively the past two seasons and scored 22 runs in their first seven games this year. They were shut out once and scored only a run in two other games, but plated six runs in each of their two wins over the Mariners and four apiece in their two victories over the Dodgers. Offseason acquisition Rhys Hoskins makes his debut in front of the hometown crowd after batting .286 with an .873 OPS in his first five games in a Cleveland uniform. And, though he is off to a slow start, Jose Ramirez is always a must watch. He hit his first home run in the series finale against Los Angeles on Wednesday, so maybe he's about to get hot. Man on the mound Left-hander Joey Cantillo makes his second start of the season in the home opener. Cantillo, who begins the season in a big league rotation for the first time, will look to bounce back after allowing two runs on four hits and three walks — five strikeouts — over 3⅔ innings in a 10-inning win over the Mariners. He beat out fellow lefty Logan Allen for the final spot in the rotation and we'll get more evidence as to whether the Guardians made the right decision. Center of attention There's a chance fans will get their first look at Steven Kwan in center field after the Guardians decided to experiment with him at the position during spring training. Kwan, who has won four straight Gold Gloves in left field, started in center four times through the first seven games while playing left in the other three. There were no incidents, with Kwan recording 10 putouts without an error, but it would be strange not to see the leadoff man standing in front of the Home Run Porch in left. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.