Logan Allen is on the bump on Sunday for the Guards. Allen is having a strong August with an ERA of 1.59.
The Guardians will be facing their third left-handed starter in the series with the Tigers as lefty Eduardo Rodriguez is on the bump. Rodriguez in two starts against Cleveland in 2023 has yet to give up a run in 15 innings pitched.
The Guardians need to win today’s game to not only keep pace with the Twins but to keep the Tigers in 3rd place. If the Guards lose today, they will only be up a game and a half on Detroit.
Logan Allen is set to take the mound to wrap up the series. In his previous outing, Allen’s performance was exceptional, as he delivered six innings of scoreless play against the Reds, securing a well-deserved victory. The rookie Southpaw has been impressive in his debut season, boasting an impressive 1.59 ERA for the current month. His overall season stats include a 3.33 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, a 6-5 record across 97.1 innings pitched, and a total of 95 strikeouts. Notably, this will be Allen’s inaugural face-off against the Tigers.
Cleveland is currently in dire need of victories, finding themselves trailing the AL Central leader, Minnesota, by five games. Their struggle to secure series wins this month is attributed to their inconsistent offensive performance. The team managed a lone victory in a two-game encounter with the Reds before this series, resulting in a 5-5 record in their last ten matches.
While Jose Ramirez has historically been a threat against the Tigers, his impact has been limited this season, tallying only five RBIs and a lackluster .588 OPS against this particular rival. Despite this, the 30-year-old third baseman has showcased his prowess with 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a .845 OPS for the entire season. However, his recent month has been less prolific, delivering only three RBIs and a .627 OPS. It’s worth noting that Josh Naylor is still absent from the lineup.
Cleveland’s offensive output has been modest, averaging 4.03 runs, ranking them 27th in the league. On the other hand, their pitching remains a strong suit, boasting a team ERA of 3.76, which places them in the third position in the league.
On Sunday, Eduardo Rodriguez will be given the opportunity by the Tigers to take the mound. In his previous outing, Rodriguez struggled, allowing six runs against his former team, the Red Sox, resulting in a loss. Despite this setback, the seasoned left-handed pitcher is currently experiencing the most successful season of his career. He holds a 3.13 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, complemented by an 8-6 record in 106.1 innings pitched. Notably, Rodriguez has been exceptionally dominant against the Guardians throughout this season, maintaining a shutout streak of 15 innings. His overall record against them is impressive with a 2.59 ERA and a 4-0 win-loss record over 41.2 innings.
This game marks the conclusion of a nine-game road stretch for Detroit. During this span, the Tigers faced challenges, losing two out of three games in Boston at the start of the journey and securing one victory in two matchups against Minnesota. A positive development for the Tigers is the emergence of their young hitters, hinting at a promising outlook for the upcoming season. Splitting the doubleheader on Friday, they hold a 6-4 record in their most recent ten games.
Highlighting his talent, Spencer Torkelson, the first baseman drafted as number-one in 2020, is showcasing his skills. Over his last ten games, the 23-year-old has smacked six home runs, adding to his season total of 21 homers and 66 RBIs, all while maintaining a .739 OPS. Impressively, Torkelson holds a stellar record of 10 hits in 28 at-bats against the Guardians this season, with an OPS of 1.045.
The Tigers’ offensive output is averaging 3.95 runs per game, ranking them 28th in the league. On the pitching front, their performance has been moderate, with a team ERA of 4.47, placing them 19th overall.
The Detroit Tigers maintain their competitive edge, securing victory in six out of their last ten matches leading up to Saturday night. Additionally, they’ve been outscoring Cleveland as of late. On the other hand, the Guardians have achieved a 5-5 record in their most recent ten games.
Moreover, Eduardo Rodriguez, the Tigers’ standout starting pitcher, has effectively subdued the Guardians this year. In their initial encounter, he delivered eight innings without conceding any runs, and in the subsequent match, he held them scoreless for seven innings. With an impressive 2.59 ERA, Rodriguez has established a 4-0 career record against his rivals. The Tigers’ dominance against the Guardians this season is evident, having emerged victorious in six out of their nine clashes.
Our Pick: Take Tigers and the Moneyline
If you're a fan of Cleveland sports and want to stay up-to-date with the latest news, scores, and insights on your favorite teams, signing up for the Cleveland sports newsletter is a no-brainer.
Leave a Reply