Slade Cecconi’s Slow Start Continues in Guardians Loss to Astros

Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi (44) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Manager Stephen Vogt actually liked Cecconi’s fastball, but “just not crispy with his other stuff.” That heater is what the Astros seemed to be sitting on, or jumping at on the first pitch if it was there.

After this start, Cecconi has a 6.46 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP in his first start. That includes two outings where the right-hander has given up six earned runs.

Despite all of the early-season struggles, Vogt is not worried about where Slade is at.

“He knows that he needs to make some adjustments, and our pitching team knows that the adjustments that need to be made,” continued Cleveland’s skipper. “I would not question Slade working his backside off again and making some adjustments to get back to being him, to get him the crispness back on his off-speed.”

In Cecconi's defense, he's been tasked with throwing against some of MLB's toughest lineups and hasn't pitched in the best conditions, given the cold. However, that's baseball, and it's all about how a player responds.

Cecconi’s next start is estimated to come over the weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not he gets the movement back on the offspeed pitches.

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