The Cleveland Guardians have lost the top spot in the AL Central to the Kansas City Royals, as their weekend didn’t get off to a good start.
They sent Carlos Carrasco and Triston McKenzie to pitch in Saturday’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees.
Even though they lost both games, they will have a golden chance to get back on track on Sunday against the Yanks behind left-hander Logan Allen.
Despite what happened on Saturday, the Guardians remain a very solid team, but they will have to prove it on the field on a consistent, sustained basis.
The starting pitching will have to step up, on Sunday and for the upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox.
Guardians insider Mandy Bell detailed the team’s pitching plans for the upcoming three contests against the Sox.
“A look at the Guardians’ starting pitching plans: Monday: Xzavion Curry. Tuesday: Tanner Bibee. Wednesday: Ben Lively,” she tweeted.
A look at the Guardians' starting pitching plans:
Monday: Xzavion Curry
Tuesday: Tanner Bibee
Wednesday: Ben Lively— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) April 14, 2024
Both Curry and Lively will be making their season debuts in the upcoming series: the former will take the ball on Monday, and the latter will go on Wednesday.
For Tuesday, the Guards will be going with Bibee, who has been a bit inconsistent this season with a 5.93 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched.
Curry was one of the most pleasant surprises for the Guardians in the otherwise forgettable 2023 campaign, when he broke through with a 4.07 ERA in 95 frames.
Lively was a free-agent signing who pitched last year with the Cincinnati Reds.
While it hasn’t been announced, logic indicates McKenzie will pitch on Thursday and Carrasco would follow him on Friday.
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