Field Level Media
18 Sep 2023, 15:55 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
A trip to the postseason is a long shot for the Cleveland Guardians, but manager Terry Francona's team is gaining some momentum as it builds for the future.
After completing a sweep of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, the Guardians have a quick turnaround and will hit theroad for a meeting with the host Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon.
The Guardians (72-78) are 7-3 against the Royals (48-102) this season as they head into the opener of a three-game set. On Sunday, Cleveland scored nine runs in the fourth inning of a 9-2 rout of the Rangers.
Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez belted his 24th home run of the season and has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.
"You can use any superlative just about you want, and he checks that box," Francona said of Ramirez. "That's the kind of player he is."
Kansas City enters the series having won four of its last five games, including a pair of victories against the Houston Astros over the weekend.
Even though the Royals lost 7-1 on Sunday, manager Matt Quatraro likes how his team competed against the defending World Series champs.
"Every win is big for us," Quatraro said. "Building confidence, understanding we can play with teams like (Houston). ... When you're going to beat good teams, you've got to take their punches and be able to come back because it's rare when you face a good team with a good offense (and you) keep them down the whole time."
On Monday, Cleveland will start right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-6, 5.40 ERA), who allowed one run on five hits through six innings last Tuesday to earn a win against the San Francisco Giants. He walked three and struck out two.
Quantrill is 6-0 with a 2.93 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against Kansas City.
The Royals will start right-hander Brady Singer (8-11, 5.51), who will face Cleveland for the third time this season.
Between those two previous outings, Singer has gone 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He got shelled in his most recent start versus the Guardians, giving up six runs on 13 hits in five innings to take a loss back on July 8.
In 11 career appearances (10 starts), Singer is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA against Cleveland.
The Royals gave Salvador Perez the day off on Sunday after the veteran catcher was hit in the mask by a foul ball on Saturday. The club says Perez showed no signs of having a concussion.
"As you'd expect, he wants to play," Quatraro said of Perez. "We're trying to be cautious."
A constant for the Guardians has been left fielder Steven Kwan, who has gone 7-for-17 (.412) over his last four games. He went 2-for-5 in Sunday's victory.
"It's so nice when he's up," Francona said of Kwan's presence at the plate. "You know he's not going to pull off. He's going to give himself a chance to get a hit."
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Cleveland Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cleveland Star.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Stock prices were punctured Friday bringing to an end the 'flash in the pan' rally ...
WASHINGTON D.C. Due to internal brake fluid leaks that can cause an electrical short and could lead to engine fires, ...
WASHINGTON D.C. As part of its efforts to remove goods made by Uyghur forced labor from the U.S. supply chain, ...
LONDON, UK: In August, global production of primary aluminum hit an all-time high, with production running at an annualized rate ...
NEW YORK, New York - Easing pressure on U.S. Treasury yields boost stocks on American markets Thursday. Gains however were ...
DEARBORN, Michigan: Due to concerns about its ability to operate competitively while it is locked in broader union contract negotiations, ...
DEARBORN, Michigan: Due to concerns about its ability to operate competitively while it is locked in broader union contract negotiations, ...
MADISON, Wisconsin: Last week, five flamingos were seen along a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, attracting a large crowd of ...
(Photo credit: Cara Owsley-USA TODAY Sports) Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are among five Baltimore Ravens ...
(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports) If the Philadelphia Union want to distance themselves from one of the teams directly ...
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) Tennessee Titans receiver Treylon Burks has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the ...
(Photo credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports) FC Cincinnati can clinch the MLS Supporters' Shield with a road victory on Saturday ...