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Cleveland Guardians at Boston Red Sox

By JR·2 min read
Cleveland GuardiansCLE(82-76)
Boston Red SoxBOS(85-73)
AT
6:45 PM ET

TLDR: 2 games into this set, Cleveland and Boston have scored a combined 6 runs and split them. The Red Sox are lining up their October rotation, and the Guardians are handing tonight to their bullpen.

THU SEP 24, 6:45 PM
Spread
WIN
Total
Guardians
(82-76)
LWWWW
Red Sox
(85-73)
WLLLW

Boston sends Ranger Suarez out for a Wild Card tune-up, and Cleveland counters with a bullpen game: Daniel Espino opens and Joey Cantillo takes the bulk. The series is split after a 3-2 and a 1-0 game. Boston's lineup has slumped and is waiting on Ceddanne Rafaela's hamstring MRI, and the biggest question is whether Espino throws strikes early.

Guardians
  • Won 4 of last 5, including the series opener
  • Staff allowed 12 runs over last 5 games
  • Cantillo can cover the bulk innings behind the opener
  • Espino walked 3 in 1-inning opener last time
  • Shut out 1-0 in Wednesday's game
  • Hoskins still out with his back
Red Sox
  • Suarez 8-4 with a 3.27 ERA
  • Won Wednesday's game 1-0 on a shutout
  • Rafaela hopeful the hamstring is just a cramp
  • 5 runs scored in the last 4 games
  • Rafaela MRI pending, Contreras nursing his hand
  • Suarez walked 5 in his last start

Ranger Suarez (8-4, 3.27) takes the ball for Boston at 6:45 PM ET, and this start is about more than one night. The Red Sox have lined up Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray and Suarez in the same order they could use in a Wild Card Series, so this is a dress rehearsal. Cleveland isn't really starting anyone. Daniel Espino opens again and should go an inning or 2 before Joey Cantillo takes the bulk. Espino's last time out as an opener went 1 inning: 3 walks and 3 earned runs on 27 pitches. Cleveland is giving him another shot right away.

Daniel Espino
Daniel Espino
(0-0)·4.73 ERA
Sep 18 vs Athletics
ND
1.0IP
3ER
1K
3BB
27P
09/24 Lineup
Ranger Suarez
Ranger Suarez
(8-4)·3.27 ERA
Sep 18 @ Rays
W
5.2IP
1ER
5K
5BB
98P
09/24 Lineup

Suarez has his own homework. His last start was a win in Tampa, 5.2 innings and 1 run, but he walked 5 guys doing it. That works against a Rays team that scored 2. It works less well against a Guardians lineup that has won 4 of its last 5. Boston's lineup is also getting thinner. Ceddanne Rafaela left Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness and gets an MRI today, though he's hoping it was just a cramp. Willson Contreras sat Wednesday with a hand issue. With Rafaela, Eli White and Masataka Yoshida all out or banged up, the Red Sox are running out of outfielders. The board still makes Boston a clear home favorite.

Neither offense has shown up in this series. Cleveland won the opener 3-2 and Boston took the second game 1-0, so 3 runs is the most anyone has scored. For Boston that fits a longer trend. The Globe wrote that the offense has been running on fumes down the stretch, and the Sox have scored 5 runs total in their last 4 games. Their only win in that stretch was a shutout by the pitching staff.

Cleveland Guardians
(82-76)
09/23L@Red Sox0-1
09/22W@Red Sox3-2
09/20WvsAthletics1-0
09/19WvsAthletics12-6
09/18WvsAthletics5-3
Boston Red Sox
(85-73)
09/23WvsGuardians1-0
09/22LvsGuardians2-3
09/20L@Rays1-5
09/19L@Rays1-2
09/18W@Rays4-2

Cleveland is in better shape overall. The Guardians came in off 3 straight wins over the Athletics, including a 1-0 game, and have given up 12 runs across their last 5. That pitching depth is what makes a bullpen game possible in late September. Rhys Hoskins is still out with his back but has started a swing progression, and Colin Holderman is on the IL after a wrist injection. Neither one changes much tonight.

Cleveland Guardians
(2)
  • 10-Day-ILRhys Hoskins (1B) — Hoskins (back) has begun a swing progression program.09/12
  • 15-Day-ILNewColin Holderman (RP) — Holderman received an injection in his right wrist Saturday.09/23
Boston Red Sox
(14)
  • Day-To-DayNewCeddanne Rafaela (CF) — Rafaela will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring Thursday.09/24
  • Day-To-DayNewWillson Contreras (1B) — Contreras (hand) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.09/23
  • 10-Day-ILCurtis Mead (3B) — Mead (wrist) is a long shot to be available for the postseason.09/23
  • 10-Day-ILEli White (CF) — White underwent Lisfranc surgery on his right foot Tuesday.09/22
  • 10-Day-ILAnthony Seigler (2B) — The Red Sox placed Seigler on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to right wrist inflammation.09/13
  • 10-Day-ILMasataka Yoshida (DH) — Interim manager Chad Tracy revealed Tuesday that Yoshida has a "significant" left hamstring injury that will keep him out until close to the end of the season, at minimum.08/18
  • 15-Day-ILJustin Slaten (RP) — Slaten (elbow) will not return from the injured list this season.09/15
  • 60-Day-ILNewGarrett Crochet (SP) — Crochet (lat) is not expected to pitch again before the end of the regular season.09/23
  • 60-Day-ILTanner Houck (SP) — Houck (elbow) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking two over 3.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.09/20
  • 60-Day-ILJohan Oviedo (SP) — Ovideo (elbow) allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.09/18
  • 60-Day-ILKutter Crawford (SP) — Crawford (forearm) is expected to remain on the injured list for the rest of the season.09/07
  • 60-Day-ILEduardo Rivera (SP) — The Red Sox recalled Rivera from Triple-A Worcester and placed him on the 60-day injured list Tuesday due to a lumbar strain.09/01
  • 60-Day-ILTriston Casas (1B) — Casas (abdomen/knee) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist Thursday.08/06
  • 60-Day-ILZack Kelly (RP) — The Red Sox recalled Kelly (elbow) from Triple-A Worcester and placed him on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.07/21

Boston's injury list is long, and most of the names don't touch this game. Garrett Crochet, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo are all starters who won't pitch in it. What matters tonight is Rafaela's MRI and whether Contreras is back in the lineup. Either one returning helps an offense that hasn't scored more than 2 runs in 4 games. If neither does, Suarez may need to put up another shutout to win it.

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