The Cleveland Guardians have lost three games in a row after falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
They have found some really tough opposition in the reigning World Series champions and have been unable to stop their offense or get anything going against their elite pitching staff.
For Wednesday’s series finale, right-hander Slade Cecconi was supposed to take the ball, but a mild groin issue is preventing him from starting.
The organization is giving him two days to heal and try to start one of the weekend games.
The Guards announced, on Wednesday morning, the pitcher who will toe the rubber against LA in the finale.
“Cleveland Guardians are going with LHP Kolby Allard for the start today vs the Dodgers,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians are going with LHP Kolby Allard for the start today vs the Dodgers.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) May 28, 2025
Allard has been a fantastic find for Cleveland this year.
The former first-round bust might have a disappointing 5.71 career ERA, but he has been brilliant for the Guardians with a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings.
Granted, his strikeout rate has plummeted to 10.1 percent as he is pitching to contact, but he has limited damage by suppressing walks and home runs and is thriving in a multi-inning role.
He will try to keep the Guardians in the game and give the offense a chance to cook up something against future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw.
Manager Stephen Vogt said on Tuesday that Allard is ‘available for length,’ so expect him to cover five or six frames if he is effective.
The Guardians are 29-25, third in the AL Central and six games behind the leaders, the Detroit Tigers.
NEXT: Guardians Starter Will Miss Wednesday's Game Due To Injury
