Lane Thomas, the Guardians and the Baseball Card Gospel – Terry Pluto

Old school, still true.

That's what I thought when Cleveland's Lane Thomas hit a three-run home run into the left field stands. That happened in the first inning, setting up the Guardians' 7-0 victory over Detroit.

Cleveland leads this best-of-five American League Division Series series 1-0.

Four for 55?

Let's think back to the late days of August. The Guardians had acquired Thomas as part of a deal with Washington. The veteran outfielder should provide the power from the right side of the plate.

Cleveland had been scouting Thomas for the past two months. He hit .282 and had an OPS of .780. He played defense at all three outfield positions. He stole bases. At 27 years old, he was exactly what the Guardians needed. He had hit 46 home runs in the previous two sessions (2022-23).

Thomas rushed to Cleveland excited to join the Guardians in the playoffs.

Then Thomas didn't just collapse. It was like he had never seen a baseball before. In the first three weeks with his new team, Thomas started out clueless and hopeless.

Clueless and hopeless…really?

How else would you describe a hitter who is 4-for-55, a .072 batting average?

Baseball card faith

It wasn't easy, but Guardians manager Stephen Vogt kept writing Lane Thomas' name on his lineup card. Call it baseball card belief, Vogt believed Thomas had to prevail.

That was what was written on his baseball card. That's what the scouts said. Vogt's heart said it, while his head whispered something else.

Then it happened.

Thomas started hitting and hitting and hitting.

Call him Mr. September. In the final month of the regular season, he batted .264 with seven HR and 20 RBI.

This was the lane that Thomas had been scouted and pursued by the front office. This was the Lane Thomas that the stats (and yes, the baseball card) predicted would help Cleveland.

The big hit (and punch)

This was Lane Thomas coming to bat in the bottom of the first inning. Two runners on base, the Guardians ahead, 2-0.

This was the first postseason appearance of his career.

And the first pitch he saw…

Wham and Away Back…

Deep into the left field stands for a three-run home run.

Cleveland simply had a 5-0 lead and Detroit still didn't have an out.

The game would last a few more hours, but it was over.

“They had a great performance,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. “They hit us with that pitch in the first inning … and it snowballed from there.”

Don't forget Tanner Bibee

Tanner Bibee gets lost in the shadow of the Lane Thomas home run.

Remember, we are in a new era of baseball. Teams like Detroit and Cleveland watch their starters with one eye and the other on the bullpen.

The Tigers call it “pitching chaos.” They opened this playoff round with a bullpen game. Who does that? Especially since the Tigers had two days off before Saturday's game.

The Guardians turned to their ace, a true starting pitcher.

This is Tanner Bibee, and he delivered. Give him 4 2/3 scoreless innings, four hits and no runners to third base.

The score was 5-0 when Vogt took the mound with two outs and a runner on first base in the fifth inning.

I said, ‘Leave him in, get through at least five innings.’ It’s 5-nothing, right?”

Incorrect.

Vogt waved to the bullpen. Kerry Carpenter's turn came. Carpenter was 3 for 6 against Bibee in his career, including a home run.

Cade Smith came on and immediately struck out Carpenter to end the final inning. Then Smith blew the Tigers away in the sixth inning, three positives, three negatives…all on strikes.

Shows what I know.

After Smith, the Guardians turned to Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis and Emmanuel Clase to close out the game. The four relievers combined to pitch great innings, zero hits and seven strikeouts.

“Obviously Cleveland is good,” Hinch said. “When it comes to Thomas, you can’t blame anyone. He just had good swing on that pitch.”

Just like what you could find on the back of your baseball card.