Starting on Tuesday, the Cleveland Guardians will play one of their most important series of the second half.
They will visit the New York Yankees in the Bronx, trying to maintain a 2.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.
The Guardians have been wildly inconsistent in recent weeks.
Yes, they are 72-52, 20 games over .500, and have had an amazing year.
But inconsistency, a rather mediocre rotation, a struggling offense, and the great run of form of the Twins have jeopardized their lead.
In front of them, they will have a quality, yet also frustrating Yankees team looking clinging to their own 0.5-game lead in the AL East.
It will be a duel of powerhouses in the junior circuit.
For the first game, to be played on Tuesday night, the Guards will send left-hander Matthew Boyd to the mound.
Following his strong debut in Cleveland, Matthew Boyd goes for an encore tonight in the Bronx.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/dqsSKH51UT
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) August 20, 2024
Boyd had a long recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in June of 2023.
The Guardians signed him in June 2024, and let him complete his rehab with the team.
His first start back from the procedure, against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, was a resounding success: he pitched 5.1 frames allowing three hits and a single run.
The left-handed didn’t walk anyone and struck out six.
Given the current state of the Guards’ pitching staff and the recent injury to Alex Cobb, Boyd’s health and effectiveness is of the utmost importance.
They need him to perform and remain in one piece.
A quality effort against the Yankees on Tuesday night would be greatly appreciated by manager Stephen Vogt and fans alike.
NEXT: Guardians Bring Star Prospect One Step Closer To The Majors
