If the Guardians can win this series, they WILL make the playoffs. Crazy to think that is a possibility. Now time to make it a reality.
The Guardians are 86-73 with a -4 run differential. The Rangers are 80-79
with a +77 run differential. I don’t know that a lot of other team stats are super relevant here because the Rangers are not playing guys like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Jacob DeGrom. But, I will note that the Guardians’ bullpen has a 3.48 ERA and the Texas bullpen has a 3.56 ERA. The numbers say they need to get their work done vs. Rangers’ starters, here.
Rowdy Tellez has 80 career plate appearances against Cleveland and a 200 wRC+ vs. the Guardians, with a .324/.400/.718 slashline and 25/10 K/BB%. Can we PLEASE make some adjustments against him? Thank you.
Also, Jack Leiter is a solid pitcher but last time we saw him, he looked like a Cy Young candidate. Let’s almost make some adjustments there. Thank you
Matchups:
Game One, Friday, 7:10PM EDT: Slade Cecconi, RHP, 4.15 ERA vs. Jack Leiter, RHP, 3.93 ERA
Game Two, Saturday, 7:10PM EDT: Joey Cantillo, LHP, 2.93 ERA vs. Merrill Kelly, RHP, 4.23 ERA
Game Three, Sunday, 3:05PM EDT: Logan Allen, LHP, 4.16 ERA OR Gavin Williams, RHP, 3.06 ERA vs. Patrick Corbin, LHP, 4.25
I am begging you, Guardians. Do not make your playoff hopes dependant on beating a washed up lefty on Sunday.
The Guardians are led by… Jose Ramirez. Will that be enough? Heck if I know.
The Rangers are led by Rowdy Tellez 109 wRC+ and Josh Smith 101 wRC+.
The Guardians NEED Bo Naylor, Steven Kwan and Kyle Manzardo to join Jose Ramirez on the hunt for a Guardians Red October NOW. Let’s go!
