Chase DeLauter embraces hot start as Guardians host Cubs

Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter has appeared in three home games in his young career, two of them during the 2025 American League wild-card series, when he made his major league debut.

The fourth appearance will occur Saturday night when the Chicago Cubs continue their three-game set in Cleveland.

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (0-1, 7.20 ERA) will oppose Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi (0-1, 12.46).

DeLauter moved into a tie for the major league lead with five home runs, belting a two-run shot and singling home another run as the Guardians won 4-1 in their home opener Friday.

Before all four of his plate appearances, the sellout crowd of 36,396 loudly sang along with his walk-up song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver.

“It’s awesome hearing that from the first time; I get chills every at-bat,” said DeLauter, who grew up in West Virginia, where the song is set. “A lot of players look at it like, ‘Is that walk-up going to catch on?’ So I love that the crowd is real involved in it here.”

DeLauter had three hits to raise his average to .346 and his three RBIs gave him eight, along with a 1.293 OPS. He missed Cleveland’s previous game after fouling a ball off his surgically repaired left foot Tuesday in a game at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder almost caused another injury after touching the plate on his homer, excitedly body-checking teammate Steven Kwan in celebration. Kwan was momentarily stunned before smiling.

“It’s incredible what he’s doing,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Chase is comfortable, he’s not big eyed, and he’s doing a phenomenal job for us. It’s a really fun start for him this year.”

Cecconi spent two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks but has not faced the Cubs. He was rocked for six runs in 4 1/3 innings at the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, hitting two batters.

Imanaga beat the visiting Guardians on July 2, 2025, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings. He is 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in two career starts against Cleveland, allowing five homers in 10 1/3 innings.

The 32-year-old from Japan made his season debut against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, taking the loss with five innings of four-run ball. Imanaga struck out seven over 82 pitches.

Chicago’s rotation became a concern for manager Craig Counsell when starter Cade Horton threw only 17 pitches Friday before leaving with right forearm discomfort. Horton is 12-4 in his first 24 starts in the majors.

“Any time you take a pitcher out of the game in the second inning, you’re concerned,” Counsell said. “He’ll probably get imaging and that’s concerning, as well. It’s going to be an (injured list) stint, but let’s get more information before we get too far.”

Career starter Colin Rea worked 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball following Horton and is the most likely candidate to assume his spot in the rotation. The righty began the season in the bullpen with the Cubs overflowing with arms.

That is no longer the case with Horton sidelined until at least mid-April.

“We’ll see what happens, but I think we’ve got the depth to handle those innings,” said Rea, who has the Cubs’ only save this year. “I’ve done it in the past, and we’ve got some guys built up for depth in Triple-A. I just hope it’s nothing too serious with Cade.”

–Field Level Media