(Photo credit: David Richard-Imagn Images)

Rhys Hoskins' first season with the Cleveland Guardians has been feast or famine, as one would expect for a player who was unsigned until Feb. 23.

The longtime National Leaguer only has 22 hits, but 13 of them have gone for extra bases and he has 19 RBIs.

Hoskins and the Guardians continue interleague play Monday, when the Washington Nationals begin a three-game series in Cleveland. Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-6, 3.75 ERA) takes on Nationals righty Zack Littell (3-4, 5.83) in the opener.

Cleveland wrapped up a seven-game road trip Sunday with its sixth victory, 3-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies as Hoskins delivered an RBI double. The hit raised his average to .188, but manager Stephen Vogt confidently had him batting cleanup.

'We always say great clubhouse leader about Rhys, but he's so much more than that,' Vogt said. 'He's got a lot left in the tank andrh he's added a lot to our team. We're glad we have him.'

Hoskins was drafted by the Phillies and spent his first six seasons with them, ending his stay in 2022, making the three-game series in Philadelphia especially meaningful to him. He held court with dozens of media members before the opener Friday.

The set afforded the 33-year-old first baseman the chance to teach the Guardians about the environment they would face in a notoriously tough city for visiting teams.

'We should feel really good about the road trip,' said Hoskins, who has four homers in 43 games with Cleveland. 'Just to play somebody that we're not used to in a park that is a little unfamiliar, as well. That's a really good team over there.'

Though the Guardians lead the American League Central Division, opening day starter Bibee is winless through 11 games. His only career outing against Washington was a win in 2024, when he went 6 1/3 innings and gave up a run on three hits.

Cleveland has only scored more than three runs for him three times, while Bibee has limited foes to zero or one run on six occasions. Hoskins believes the tide will turn.

'We have a pitching staff that is going to keep us in ballgames,' he said. 'They set the tone and we get the big hits.'

Washington didn't arrive in Northeast Ohio until late Sunday night as its game in Atlanta was delayed nearly two hours by rain. The Nationals squeaked out a 2-1 victory when Orlando Ribalta recorded the final two outs for his second save.

On Saturday, Jake Irvin worked the first five innings in a combined one-hitter as Washington beat the Braves 2-0. Michael Harris II's single off Brad Lord in the seventh was the only blemish on the performance.

Irvin went on the 15-day injured list before the series finale with a right shoulder strain. Reliever PJ Poulin, who recorded two saves before being sent to the minors, was recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

'It's something not too concerning that we think will be a minimum IL stay for now,' Nationals manager Blake Butera said. 'Obviously, we'll monitor it, but the thoughts are that it could have been worse.'

Littell, who will attempt to move Washington back above .500, is 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in May after going winless over six starts across March and April. He has sparkled in 11 career contests (three starts) against the Indians/Guardians with a 1.59 ERA and 4-0 record.

--Field Level Media