Category Archives: Game Previews

Guardians to face Rays in Wild Card Series

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The Cleveland Guardians are set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays.

The waiting game is over as the Cleveland Guardians now know that they will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series. Cleveland already knew that they would be hosting their opponent in their series beginning Friday as they clinched the American League Central. All the Guardians had to do was wait for everything else to sort itself out and now it has.

Cleveland took four of their six matchups with Tampa this season, the most recent being at the end of September. Across their six contests it was the Guardians outscoring the Rays 22-18, with the largest margin of victory being just three runs back on July 29th. These two teams are incredibly similar as they do not rely on the long ball for offense and are backed by strong pitching. This is as close as a coin flip series as they come. It would not be a surprise to see either team advance and take on the New York Yankees in the ALDS.

Guardians must put Opening Day loss behind them

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Cleveland’s 3-1 Opening Day loss in Kansas City to the Royals was disappointing, yet expected, but the Guardians must put that behind them. There are three more games to play with Cleveland holding decisive advantages in the pitching matchups. The Guardians will trot out Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, and Aaron Civale while Kansas City will feature Brad Keller, Kris Bubic, and Carlos Hernandez.

Like the first game, this will come down to hitting and whether or not the bottom of the lineup can perform. Outside of Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez, the five through nine spots in the order were hitless (0-11). The only player who reached base besides Kwan and Gimenez was Owen Miller reaching base via walk after pinch hitting for an 0-2 Bobby Bradley.

With Keller’s 5.39 ERA and 1.661 WHIP last season, that should provide a welcome matchup for Cleveland’s bats. Bubic finished with a 4.43 ERA and 1.385 WHIP while Hernandez compiled a 3.68 ERA and 1.284 WHIP mostly in a relief role.

It is important to focus on the next three games and hope for at least a split if not winning just one game. A series sweep is simply not acceptable at this point in time.

Post-game transaction

The Guardians shipped Bradley Zimmer out of town following the first game in exchange for relief pitcher Anthony Castro. Cleveland has decided that Kwan and Myles Straw have earned regular spots in their starting lineup with Oscar Mercado being their late-inning defensive replacement over Zimmer. Clearing up some of the clutter in the outfield should allow other future decisions be made.

As far as Castro is concerned, he could be an important piece early on for Cleveland as the short spring has impacted pitch counts for their staff. Triston McKenzie was used in a piggy back start role, allowing two runs over three innings. Having flexibility and being able to keep their primary relief arms fresh will be crucial early on. Castro pitched 24.2 innings in 25 games last season with Toronto.

Clock is ticking for Bradley

Like it or not the pressure is mounting for Bobby Bradley to perform. The Guardians have already shown they are finally able to move from players who are not playing at an acceptable level with the Zimmer deal. Bradley struck out 99 times in 245 at-bats last season, a not too surprising result. The 26-year old first baseman will always be a strikeout machine, it is whether or not he is able to do enough when he puts the ball in play. Considering his .202/.285/.428 slash line in 90 major league games and struggling every further in the minors slashing just .183/.263/.452 with 39 strikeouts in 29 games, it appears unlikely that he will become the contributor that some hoped he would be.

Make sure to check out the Guarding The Corner podcast for series recaps and previews, breaking down news as it comes, and more.

Franmil Reyes walks off Royals with three-run homer

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The Cleveland Baseball Club slugger came up in the 9th inning and launched a walk-off three-run home run.

Things did not seem like they were going to end up well early on Thursday night as the Cleveland Baseball Club was trailing by three runs early. Add in the fact that after a a three-run home run from Roberto Perez in the 8th that Kansas City tied the game back up in the top of the 9th it appeared that the losing streak might continue. That was not the case as Franmil Reyes came up to the plate in the bottom of the 9th with two men on and proceeded to hit an absolute bomb to secure a 7-4 walk-off win.

This is the type of heroics that Cleveland needed at this time and Franmil Reyes was the perfect man for the job. Perhaps this win can provide a jolt into what has been a underwhelming offensive effort all season long. A nice finish at home before the All-Star break could be just what gets Cleveland back into the playoff hunt.

The return of Plesac

Zach Plesac made his highly anticipated return from the injured list Thursday and was a on a strict 60-pitch limit. Plesac threw 55 pitches in his return, but was not necessarily fooling the Royals batters. Kansas City managed three runs on five hits in just 4 innings against Plesac.

The only other Cleveland pitcher to allow a run was James Karinchak who gave up a solo home run to Carlos Santana, his second of the game.

Cleveland will look to win their second straight game against the Royals Friday at 7:10 P.M.

Cleveland splits back-to-back doubleheaders

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The Cleveland Baseball Club split their back-to-back doubleheaders with the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox at home.

It was a daunting task facing the Cleveland Baseball Club coming into Sunday. Following the postponement of Saturday’s game with the Toronto Blue Jays it set up an uncommon occurrence in baseball, playing doubleheaders on consecutive days. A doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox was already scheduled for Monday due to a previous postponement. It wasn’t easy, but Cleveland managed to split the batch of doubleheaders.

Funny enough, Cleveland lost the first game of each doubleheaders while winning the second. It was a 4-1 loss early on Sunday and a 6-5 win against Toronto. Chicago won the first game 8-6 in extras, eight innings, while Cleveland came away with a 3-1 win in the second game.

The new rules for doubleheaders this season, seven inning games, helped Cleveland tremendously. Injuries to the pitching staff and inconsistent performances have left the rotation in a constant state of flux. If the previous length of games for doubleheaders was still in place, Cleveland would be a lot worse off pitching wise. It is a lot easier to fill 14 innings than 18 innings. Also, considering that some of the pitchers Cleveland used have had trouble going deep into games (Triston McKenzie, Sam Hentges, Cal Quantrill), this could not have came at a better time. Luckily McKenzie was able to go 5.1 innings while the others pitched a bit less. This should allow the team to reset their pitching rotation starting Tuesday with Shane Bieber.

Cleveland begins back-to-back doubleheaders

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The Cleveland Baseball Club begins a set of back-to-back doubleheaders Sunday.

Fans of the Cleveland Baseball Club will be treated to at a minimum 28 innings of baseball over the next two days. That is due to playing back-to-back doubleheaders on Sunday and Monday. Cleveland plays the Toronto Blue Jays twice on Sunday before hosting the Chicago White Sox Monday. In fact, Cleveland will be playing five consecutive seven inning games counting Friday’s weather shortened 11-2 loss and if none of these games go to extras.

This could prove to be an exciting Memorial Day weekend for the Cleveland Baseball Club or an all out disaster depending on the results. Toronto was more than capable of taking Game 1 and the White Sox are leading the division for a reason. It will not be easy couple of days, but it will at least provide a lot of baseball to watch.

Cleveland begins four game series in Seattle

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The Cleveland Baseball Club is heading to Seattle for a four-game series with the Mariners.

It was a walk-off win for the Cleveland Baseball Club Wednesday afternoon over the Cubs and they are looking to carry some of that magic with them to Seattle was they take on the Mariners.

Zach Plesac will be Cleveland’s starter and there is one thing that he is looking for from his teammates in this start, run support. Plesac was on the wrong end of a no-hitter for the second time this season with Cleveland losing 3-0 late. It ended up being a wasted start from Plesac who allowed only three hits over 8 innings with seven strikeouts. Plesac has been spectacular in his last two starts as he has kept both the White Sox and Reds off the scoreboard in his previous 13.2 innings with 13 total strikeouts. A Mariners offense that is strikeout prone could end up being carved up by Plesac in this start.

Starting opposite of Plesac will be Chris Flexen. Flexen has only recorded two strikeouts over his last starts (10.1 innings) while allowing seven earned runs on 14 hits and two walks. This could be exactly what Cleveland’s pedestrian offense needs as they still have not quite figured things out at the plate.

Shane Bieber starts at home versus Cubs

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The Cleveland Baseball Club returns to action Tuesday when they play host to the Chicago Cubs.

After Sunday’s finale with the Cincinnati Reds was postponed and Monday’s off day, the Cleveland Baseball Club returns to action Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs with Shane Bieber on the mound.

Cleveland has won the previous two starts with Shane Bieber on the mound. Bieber struck out 20 batters in those games as he continues to lead all of baseball in strikeouts. The only time this season that Bieber has failed to reach 10 or more strikeouts in a a game was in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees three starts ago. Considering that the Cubs have the sixth-highest strikeout total in baseball the season, it is very possible that Bieber continues his new double-digit strikeout streak.

Starting opposite of Shane Bieber will be Adbert Alzolay. Alzolay is making his sixth start of the season and is looking to continue his trend of strong starts. The Cubs starter has allowed 6 runs in his previous three starts against the Dodgers, Braves, and Brewers. Cleveland’s offense will not pose the threat of those three teams so that could result in another good performance from Alzolay.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 P.M. at Progressive Field

Zach Plesac starts for Cleveland at home vs. Reds

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The final battle of The Ohio Cup begins Friday at Progressive Field.

The Ohio Cup began back in April with the Cincinnati Reds taking two of the first three games of the season series. Cleveland needs to duplicate that performance this weekend in order to retain control of The Ohio Cup. They will begin their quest Friday with Zach Plesac on the mound.

This will be the seventh start of the season for Zach Plesac and overall the returns have not been great. Plesac has an ERA of 4.78 the season, which is higher than his career number in this area of 3.55. There were two starts which really impacted Plesac’s numbers, both losses to the Chicago White Sox where 12 runs came across 5.2 innings. However, Plesac has only allowed 5 runs total in 20.2 innings in five other starts. Zach Plesac will be hoping to continue trending in the right direction this time around.

Starting opposite Zach Plesac will be Wade Miley. Miley is in the midst of surprisingly resurgent season. In 5 starts this season Miley has a 2.67 ERA and 0.963 WHIP with a 6.3 K/9, the lowest mark since his rookie year. Miley has allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in consecutive outings, coming away with a win and loss along the way. Prior to that it was Cleveland who scored 4 runs on 5 hits, the first time that Miley allowed runs on the year.

First pitch for Zach Plesac is scheduled for 7:10 P.M. at Progressive Field

Shane Bieber starts in Kansas City for Cleveland

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The Cleveland Baseball Club will be starting the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner against Kansas City.

After two straight wins in Kansas City, the Cleveland Baseball Club is looking for their third and they are starting their best pitcher, Shane Bieber. Bieber will be making his seventh start of the year and his second against the Royals this season. The last time Bieber allowed 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 8 batters over 6.1 innings.

Shane Bieber enters Wednesday as the MLB leader in strikeouts with 68 in 6 games. Considering Bieber’s track record against these Royals batters it is very likely that he extends his lead in the category. Bieber has struck out 38 Kansas City batters in 111 at-bats, meaning that just over one-third of at-bats against Bieber results in a strikeout for the Royals.

The Royals will be starting Brady Singer, his first against Cleveland this season. After allowing 5 runs in his first start this season and has since only allowed 3 total over his next four starts. The last start was only 2 innings against the Minnesota Twins. Cleveland will have to hope that Singer pitches more like he did in his first start rather than the subsequent four.

Cleveland takes on Royals Tuesday

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The Cleveland Baseball Club continues their road series with the Kansas City Royals.

It was a win in Game 1 for the Cleveland Baseball Club as they took down the Kansas City Royals thanks to a five-run 7th inning. Now the Cleveland Baseball Club is in search of their second straight win in Kansas City.

Cleveland has opted to start Phil Maton in their second matchup with Kansas City. Maton normally comes out of the bullpen, but is getting the nod to start the festivities against the Royals. Maton has a 4.01 ERA, 1.148 WHIP, and 11.6 K/9 in 42.2 innings with Cleveland.

Starting opposite Maton will be Mike Minor. Minor has alternated between good and bad starts even though Kansas City has won four of five this season. It was Pittsburgh who scored 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits in 4.1 innings in Minor’s last start. Interestingly enough former Cleveland Baseball Club first baseman Carlos Santana has 2 of 4 hits against Maton, 1 of which is the only extra-base hit allowed against a Royals batter.

Minor has done a great job keeping the Cleveland bats in check in his career. Cesar Hernandez (2-6), Jordan Luplow (3-6) and Franmil Reyes (1-5) are the only Cleveland bats with hits off of Minor. The rest of the lineup is 0-28 against the Royals lefty. This track record combined with the good/bad dynamics of his starts signals a possible rough outing for the Cleveland Baseball Club.

First pitched is scheduled for 8:10 P.M. in Kansas City

An earlier version of this preview erroneously stated that Sam Hentges would be starting this game.