The Cleveland Guardians might not have clinched the win on Friday night, but the buzz around the early 2026 season is all about Chase DeLauter. This rookie is making waves with a start that's nothing short of historic.
In their 5-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners, DeLauter continued his scorching streak by smashing another home run in his first at-bat. That’s three homers in just two regular-season games, a feat that places him among the rarest company in Major League Baseball history.
DeLauter’s explosive entry into the majors began with a debut to remember. In the season opener, he went 3-for-5, belting two home runs. Not only did he become the first Cleveland player to achieve this in his debut, but he also joined an elite group as the sixth player in MLB history to homer twice in their first career game.
Despite the Guardians' struggles, DeLauter was the offensive standout, providing the team's only run of the night. After the game, he reflected on the experience, saying, “One time I homered in back-to-back games in the minors, but never something like this.”
The rest of Cleveland's lineup had a tough night, missing key opportunities, including a bases-loaded situation in the fifth inning that they couldn’t convert.
On the pitching front, Gavin Williams showed potential with seven strikeouts over five innings. However, control issues surfaced as he issued six walks, which ultimately proved costly.
While the Guardians didn’t secure the victory, the emergence of DeLauter is the real headline. It looks like Cleveland might have discovered something special in this rookie sensation.