The Cleveland Guardians are set to begin a crucial series this week. The outcome of their three-game matchup with the New York Yankees could determine whether they become the top team in the American League by Thursday or lose their lead in the AL Central.
This series is critical as Cleveland’s lead over the Minnesota Twins has shrunk to just 2.5 games as of Tuesday afternoon, and they are in desperate need of wins. They have dropped three straight games and 10 of their last 15 since August 3.
One of the main reasons for the Guardians’ recent struggles is their inconsistent pitching rotation. Injuries have sidelined key pitchers like Shane Bieber, Carlos Carrasco, and Alex Cobb, and others like Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen have been sent down to Triple-A due to poor performance.
The team also missed an opportunity to strengthen their rotation at the trade deadline, leaving them short-handed.
This situation has left them scrambling, as they had no one scheduled to start Wednesday’s game against the Yankees until Tuesday afternoon. It was just announced that rookie Joey Cantillo will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start on Wednesday.
“Cleveland #Guardians LHP Joey Cantillo will be promoted from Triple-A Columbus and start Wednesday at New York,” tweeted Guardians Prospective.
Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo is set to be promoted from Triple-A Columbus to start Wednesday’s game in New York, as announced by Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) on August 20, 2024.
Cantillo has already made three starts for the Guardians this season, posting a 6.23 ERA over 13 innings, with six walks and nine strikeouts. His WHIP stands at 1.62, reflecting some struggles in his limited major league experience.
However, his performance in the minors has been much more promising, with a 2.97 ERA over 33.1 innings in Triple-A Columbus. Cantillo has shown an ability to miss bats, though his command remains inconsistent, which could be a challenge in a tough ballpark like Yankee Stadium.
Despite these inconsistencies, Cantillo has the potential to keep the Guardians in the game and give their offense a chance to make an impact. The question is, will he rise to the occasion?
