The Cleveland Guardians continue to receive contributions from throughout their roster during their surge back into playoff contention.
The Guardians will look to complete a three-game sweep of the host Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon, and it’s anyone’s guess who will be on Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt’s lineup card.
Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez are the only two everyday position players for Cleveland, which has won five straight games and nine of its past 10 to pull within a half-game of the third and final American League wild-card spot.
The Guardians also are five games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
Kwan and Ramirez were a combined 1-for-9 at the plate on Saturday, but Cleveland’s depth was on display in a 3-1 victory over Chicago.
“It shows everybody that we’re a team,” Vogt said. “That’s when teams start to get really dangerous, when their better players may not have results on any given night, but everybody else around them did.”
Brayan Rocchio doubled in the tiebreaking run and rookie C.J. Kayfus hit his first career homer for the Guardians, who are six games over .500 for the first time since June 4.
Kayfus has seven hits in his first 23 at-bats since being promoted to the majors on Aug. 2, including four for extra bases.
Players such as Kyle Manzardo, Daniel Schneemann and Carlos Santana also have played well during the Guardians’ current hot streak. Vogt said he is committed to juggling his lineup so everyone sees frequent at-bats.
Rocchio is batting .321 (9-for-28) with two doubles and four RBIs over his past eight games.
“Rocchio has been phenomenal offensively,” Vogt said. “He can hit, and he’s taking what pitchers give him. He’s ready to drive the ball.”
Sunday’s pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers as Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.72 ERA) faces Chicago’s Davis Martin (3-9, 4.11).
Cecconi allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings against the New York Mets last Monday. He wasn’t part of the decision in Cleveland’s 7-6 win in 10 innings.
The 26-year-old Cecconi has given up three runs or fewer in 12 of his 14 starts this season. He will make his first career appearance against the White Sox.
Martin, 28, gave up six runs (five earned) over five innings in an 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Kwan has three hits in four at-bats against Martin, who is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two career starts versus Cleveland.
Chicago has lost six straight games, but rookie infielder Colson Montgomery has emerged as one of the team’s core building blocks. He has eight home runs while playing steady defense on the left side of the infield.
“For me, the most impressive thing has been his defense, just how comfortable he looks at shortstop, how well he’s played, and then asking him to play third base as well,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s someone that’s impressed me a lot.”
Michael A. Taylor has three homers in his past four games for Chicago, which has hit a rough patch after going 10-4 to start the second half.
‘‘We know we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Venable said. ‘‘Our effort to get better is ongoing.”
–Field Level Media
