The Cleveland Guardians worked hard Saturday night to climb over the host Tampa Bay Rays in the wild-card standings and will look to increase that advantage in Sunday’s series finale.
Having Steven Kwan at the top of the order is a huge asset.
The outfielder grounded a two-out hopper between third and short to plate the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of Saturday night’s 3-2 win, allowing the Guardians to pass the Rays in the standings, win the season series and improve to 3-3 on their seven-game road trip through Boston and Tampa Bay.
Cleveland (71-70) and the Rays (71-71) entered the lengthy four-game series with one major point in mind with the season running out: Win the series outright at least and aim for a sweep.
After the Guardians squared the series Friday, the onus transformed into winning the next two matchups because splitting the quartet benefitted neither team. Going 2-2 wouldn’t help either to make up ground on the wild-card-leading Seattle Mariners.
That puts the pressure on Cleveland in Sunday’s matinee to win again and leave with a 3-1 series victory.
Guardians skipper Stephen Vogt likes having Kwan, his leadoff hitter, batting in clutch situations like Saturday’s.
“My confidence is always huge in Kwany,” said Vogt of the lefty hitter, who is batting .275. “He’s one of the guys we want up there in every situation. I’m not surprised to see him come through.”
Added Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, “We probably didn’t want to see Kwan coming up in that situation.”
Vogt stressed the importance of the win.
“That’s a big-time win. Our guys really stepped up,” the manager said. “We got contributions from everyone on the roster tonight. We have to win every series. It’s big, but for us, it’s win every series.”
The Guardians will send out rookie Parker Messick (1-0, 2.08 ERA) in his fourth career start, which will be a homecoming for the former Florida State hurler.
Messick, 24, hails from and went to high school in Plant City, just 25 miles from downtown Tampa, where the Rays play in their temporary home at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex.
The left-hander made strong starts in his first two outings — at the Arizona Diamondbacks (one run over 6 2/3 innings) and in his first career victory beating his hometown club (no runs, four hits over seven innings).
However, he chalked up his first poor showing Monday in Boston by surrendering three runs to the Red Sox on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings but received a no-decision in the 6-4 setback.
Tampa Bay’s stout rotation rolls around back to the top and will feature ace Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.74) for his 28th start this season.
The right-hander has recorded four wins without a loss dating back to his June 25 win at the Kansas City Royals when he tossed five shutout innings.
In five career appearances, including three starts, against the American League Central club, Rasmussen holds no record and a 4.97 ERA. The Guardians have hit .250 against him in 12 2/3 innings.
The Rays put reliever Brian Van Belle (right elbow inflammation) on the 15-day injured list and recalled lefty pitcher Joe Rock from Triple-A Durham.
–Field Level Media
