Just like we drew it up!
Ok, deep exhale Guardian fans! After an extremely disappointing first two games of the series, the Guardians go to Chicago, facing elimination, and take Game 3 over the White Sox by a score of ___. Cleveland would have more hits in game 3 (11) than they did the first two games combined (7), and the run total was more than three times as much (9-3). In this offensive explosion, Cleveland walloped 4(!) hits with runners in scoring position, their first 4 of the series. It wasn’t
all easy today, as the White Sox were on Cleveland’s heels for 7 innings before the Guards pulled away late, but we saw the team that ran down the division, fighting and clawing and using their heads to scrape across everything they could rather than the team who looked like they never played baseball before, let alone any business winning the division.
There are a lot of Heroes of today’s game, and I’d like to highlight all of them considering it was their first playoff win (and a tough one at that, facing elimination) AND since this could be my last game recap for the year, and, maybe ever(?). Thanks to the impending lockout and the unfair governing fist that rules Covering The Corner, always trying to silence me and your favorite writers alike, to keep this town in the past where no one writes with flare or pizzaz and dancing is outlawed, well guess what Dad I just want to DANCE and I’m going to DANCE!!!… Ok that second one was just Footloose, I am actually quite fond of our CTC OverLords.
Anyway. The 5 Heroes that kept the Guardians alive for at least one more day…
5- Foster Griffin
Coming into the ALDS, we knew the Guardians would have one major pitching decision; Game 3. Because of all the days off, Cleveland would be able to pitch Messick and Williams, or Williams and Messick, in games 1 & 2 and then again in games 4 & 5 without having to battle short rest. So for the past month or so, the question was simple: who would pitch Game 3? The choice to many was clear: Joey Cantillo had been outstanding in his new found bulk Reliever role, throwing 15 scoreless innings in a row coming into the Playoffs. Now, to open the game, was a bit more of a mystery, as our darling Daniel Espino had been up and down in that role. But I saw the vision. Get 1-2 good innings from Espino, then roll with JC.
Well, Espino was all over the place. While he did have 2 strikeouts, he also had a 5 pitch walk and gave up 2 hits, allowing a run before being pulled for… Foster Griffin?
And Griffin was NASTY. Without the help of a high decibel level giving away his pitches, Foster was able to strikeout 7(!) in just 2.2 IP. We were desperate for a stabilizing presence to get us a few innings and he absolutely answered the bell.
4- Jo Adell
Speaking of Trade Deadline Acquisitions who would save our butts in the Playoffs, how about The Jo Show?! Jo would provide the only highlight from our lineup thru the first 2 games with a 108 MPH Rocket, 413 foot dead centerfield Triple (which on any summer night is out of the ballpark), and he continued that today with a Walk and 2 hits including a series rejuvenating bases clearing Triple to help Cleveland take an early 4-1 lead in the 3rd inning.
Obviously 3 runs on one swing is going to hype up any team, but boy did these guys need that. A huge sigh of relief came over the team even if there were 6+ innings to go.
3- Tim Herrin
OH HOW ABOUT BIG TIME TIMMY JIM?!
I have not been the biggest Herrin fan over the past few seasons, but he absolutely delivered today. After a very subpar Gaddis outing to finish the 6th, Cleveland only lead 5-3 going into the 7th. Herrin would come on and we needed a clean outing, knowing that we already burned most of the bullpen.
And Herrin delivered one of his best outings of the season, striking out the side on 18 pitches. He was absolutely nasty and made Murakami, Teel and Meidrith look like the White Sox of old and not the White Sox looking to go to the ALCS.
2- Jose Ramirez
Of all the things that has hurt this team this season, one has been missing that has been undeniable. And that’s classic Jose.
His struggles this year have been well documented. Slow start, hammate bone broken, comes back struggling, playing thru an injury like a Warrior. I especially loved hearing Talking Heads who never talk baseball finally give this team some attention by saying he shouldn’t be playing. But guess what- sitting him isn’t the answer, because it’s admitting our Leader can’t cut it. We have to ride it out with him and give him the chance to rally the troops.
Today, he did just that.
Jose put together 3 huge highlights today, showing all the facets of his game. The first was in the 5th inning with a sharp double he ripped down the line, following it up by stealing 3rd and then somehow, someway, with the infield in and a hot hard-hit groundball right to the defender and a decent throw home, he STILL scores. I know Jo Adell brought in 3 runs, but Jose showing the team he alone can add insurance runs with hustle and determination? THAT is what kept this team alive.
His second highlight came from his defense, when in the bottom of the 6th and Hunter Gaddis unraveling, he dove to his left and caught/dropped a liner, spun around and threw out Miguel Vargas with the bases loaded and no one out, keeping the lead.
And then finally, with the game still up in the air and two outs in the 8th, he tripled in 2 runs and gave us some very necessary and anxiety inducing breathing room.
He might not be 100% healthy, but the GOAT was back tonight and it may just be enough to give this team the wake up call they need.
1- Cade Smith
I mean, do I really have to say it? Facing elimination we all knew he was throwing AT LEAST the 8th and 9th innings and possibly more. After a clean 7th from Herrin and some insurance runs from Jose in the Top half of the 8th, Cade stepped in with an 8 pitch 8th, striking out 2, and then striking out the side in the 9th, putting this game on ice and taking Game 3.
Game 4 will be Thursday with the Time still TBD based on Rays/Yankees Game 3. Parker Messick will start for Cleveland and I’m sure Chicago will be throwing the kitchen sink yet again. Buckle up Guards fans, it’s gonna be another stressful commute home!!!
