Guardians Struggle Through June, Cardinals Rally in St. Louis

The Cleveland Guardians are enduring a challenging season marked by a steep decline in performance, currently holding a losing record and struggling offensively and defensively. Their batting average this June is the lowest in franchise history for a non-shortened season, and they have committed a significant number of errors, contributing to a six-week slump where they have gone 15-24. Recent games against the St. Louis Cardinals highlight these struggles, including back-to-back shutout losses where the Guardians were held to just three hits by Cardinals' pitcher Sonny Gray, who delivered a near-perfect game with 11 strikeouts. Manager Stephen Vogt and players acknowledge the team's mental errors and lack of energy, emphasizing the need to relax and regain their focus to reverse the current trend. Despite the difficulties, team president Chris Antonetti remains optimistic about the roster's potential, asserting no major trades are anticipated and the team's success will depend on internal development. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have been upbeat, with Gray showcasing strong home performance but struggling on the road, and key players managing injuries as they continue their season.