These games need to be about the players,” Francona said of not facing off against his former team. “It doesn’t need to be a hug-fest."

Detroit's rollicking comeback was not lost on the baseball world with many seeing the success of the young Tigers as a warning shot to the rest of the professional baseball world

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll warms up prior to a spring training baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/)

Joe Lampe (Cleveland Guardians) with a Spectacular Hit Los Angeles Angels, 02/23/2025

John Means experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows during his first 11 years in professional baseball. The left-hander made an All-Star team in 2019 and tossed a no-hitter in 2021, but persistent elbow issues resulted in a pair of Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgeries that derailed the past three years of what was once a promising career.

But in MLB’s modern landscape, everybody plays everyone, so the NL will see all of the American League, as well. The Guardians surged to 92 wins and an AL Championship Series appearance in former Brave Stephen Vogt’s debut season as manager.

Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) catches a ball hit by Texas Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Duran (not pictured) during the third inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Something that Aaron Judge,

The baseball world is mourning the sudden loss of veteran relief pitcher Scott Sauerbeck. According to Pittsburgh Baseball Now, the 53-year-old Sauerbeck suffered a heart attack in Bradenton, Fla., earlier this week.

The Sox TV team of John Schriffen and Steve Stone will call six of the seven spring contests, while new members of the broadcast team, Brooke Fletcher and Connor McKnight, will be in the booth for the Spring Breakout game on March 16 vs.