The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 2-1 in the first game of the American League Wild Card Series.
Well, the Guardiac Kids did it again. Finding themselves down 1-0 after Jose Siri hit a solo home run off of Shane Bieber to give Tampa the lead, the Guardians needed to conjure up some magic. Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan held Cleveland scoreless for five innings, but a sixth was not in the cards. Amed Rosario would reach on a one-out single to set up such a predictable moment. Jose Ramirez turned around the third pitch of his at-bat and sent it over the wall to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game.
This series of events was building throughout the game. Time after time the Guardians would get runners on base and not be able to score. It simply felt that their time would come, all they needed to do was be patient and take advantage when it presented itself.
Everything would fall into place with the Guardians now leading and Bieber still on the mound. The former Cy Young Award winner would strike out eight in 7.2 innings with one run allowed on three hits and a walk before handing the ball over to Emmanuel Clase in the 8th. Terry Francona opted for his closer in a four out situation as the above mentioned Siri was up with a man and this was not the time to take away chances. Siri has been hitting Bieber hard lately and it is best not to tempt fate more than anyone should.
The Guardians closer would get the four outs he was tasked with, giving Cleveland their first postseason win since 2017.
Looking ahead
Cleveland will not be limited when it comes to pitching options. Bieber going 7.2 innings combined with Clase’s four out save has preserved the bullpen and put the Guardians in a comfortable spot pitching wise. It is a much better feeling knowing that relief options are plentiful rather than limited.
It will be Triston McKenzie taking the mound in Game 2 against Tyler Glasnow as Cleveland looks for their first series win since 2016.
