The Cleveland Guardians spent the weekend on a working trip in Toronto, enjoying a collection towards the Blue Jays and attending Recreation 3 of the NBA playoff collection between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
Now, they’re again at house to start a three-game set Monday towards the surging Tampa Bay Rays.
Guardians left-hander Parker Messick (3-0, 1.76 ERA) takes on Rays lefty Steven Matz (3-1, 4.81) in a matchup of pitchers whose groups have received 9 of their 10 mixed begins in 2026.
Their journey began on a excessive notice as Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan posed on the courtroom earlier than cheering for the Cavaliers, whereas Austin Hedges was one among a number of gamers featured on social media movies from the stands.
Cleveland then received its collection opener over the Blue Jays — because of Angel Martinez’s first profession multi-homer sport — earlier than dropping the following two. Beginning pitchers Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi unraveled within the sixth inning on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
“That is two nights in a row we have gotten burned in that pocket within the sixth inning,” Guardians supervisor Stephen Vogt mentioned. “It is a difficult scenario since you do not need to go to your bullpen too early, so you must present some belief in your starters.”
The Guardians have received all 5 of Messick’s begins, every of which has occurred after a Cleveland loss — as will once more be the case. The rookie had his first iffy outing in a no-decision towards the Houston Astros on Tuesday, giving up three runs in 5 innings.
Messick made two late-season appearances towards Tampa Bay final yr, going 2-0 with a glowing 0.69 ERA. He racked up 10 strikeouts and not using a stroll over 13 innings, counting on his change-up to maintain the Rays guessing.
“It has been my pitch since I used to be a freshman in highschool, so, hopefully, I can maintain it rolling,” mentioned Messick, who ranks third within the American League in ERA. “Each sport is a brand new sport, so I simply belief myself to assault in a brand new manner.”
Tampa Bay is rolling into city with a four-game successful streak, finishing a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-2 victory Sunday. Yandy Diaz belted a two-run homer within the third, coming to the plate after Jonathan Aranda stroked a two-run single.
Matz remains to be increase his arm after spending the previous two years as a reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Pink Sox. He took his first loss Tuesday towards the Cincinnati Reds, giving up 4 runs in three innings.
“It is simply not who I’m as a pitcher,” Matz mentioned of his tough sport towards the Reds. “I am a strike thrower and I simply wasn’t ready to do this.”
The 34-year previous has been terrific in eight lifetime appearances towards Cleveland, posting a 3-0 file and 1.71 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings. Matz’s wins all got here towards the then-Indians in 2016, 2019 and 2021.
Tampa Bay’s bullpen might be on name early as Matz has gotten by means of the sixth inning solely as soon as. Setup man Cole Sulser and nearer Bryan Baker every pitched twice within the final two days towards Minnesota, however the staff traded for right-hander Casey Legumina after he was designated for task by the Seattle Mariners.
“With the place the bullpen is correct now, we should be opportunistic,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “And Casey is a man we like. Hopefully, this helps him and he might help us.”
In one of many extra quirky splits this season, Tampa Bay is 11-1 towards AL opponents and 5-10 towards Nationwide League Central foes.
–Area Degree Media
