KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The sample size is admittedly small, but pitchers Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb have done exactly what Cleveland’s front office had hoped they would when acquiring both veteran starters late in the season.
President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said in addition to providing steady productivity, both Boyd and Cobb have been extraordinary in the Guardians clubhouse.
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“We needed to get more consistency out of our starting pitching, and I think what we’ve seen with both Alex and Matthew is they both have a chance to help us do that,” Antonetti said. “They’ve given us a chance to win, which is what we’re ultimately looking for. Hopefully they can provide consistent performance on the mound, but also be a stabilizing presence for the guys in the clubhouse as well.”
Cleveland is 3-1 in Boyd’s four starts, and the 33-year-old lefty has pitched into the sixth inning in every outing. Cobb, 36, has started three games, including Sunday’s brilliant outing that saw him strike out six across six perfect innings.
Antonetti said one of the things Cleveland appreciates about Boyd and Cobb besides the results on the field is their presence as teammates and examples for the younger players in the dugout.
“It’s always helpful to have veterans lead the way, but you want veterans leading the way the right way,” Antonetti said. “It’s not just that they’re veterans and have experience, but they’re great teammates. They’re great professionals. They understand the importance of the pre- or the between-start routines and what it takes to prepare to succeed. It’s not just showing up every fifth day and taking the ball. It’s all of the little things that go into it. To have two great examples like that, it’s great for our younger guys.”
Fall league calling
We should find out in a few weeks which Guardians prospects will be named to the Arizona Fall League roster for 2024. Last year, Cleveland sent seven players to Arizona to join the Peoria Javelinas. Kyle Manzardo and Chase DeLauter led the Javelinas to the AFL championship game where they came up short, losing to the Surprise Saguaros, 6-5.
Cleveland has three minor league affiliates currently in position to compete in the postseason, with Double-A Akron and High-A Lake County already clinching playoff spots.
Cleveland’s top prospect Travis Bazzana, currently at Lake County, could be among those selected to participate along with another Guardians top draft choice in No. 13 prospect Jacob Cozart. It will be interesting to see whether or not the club sends No.4 prospect Jaison Chourio and No. 5 prospect Ralphy Velazquez to participate. Both Chourio and Velazquez took part in the All-Star Futures Game in Texas in July.
In a recent podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline both said they hoped to see Bazzana on an AFL roster in October, but both had their doubts the No. 1 overall draft pick would participate. They expressed similar doubts about Bazzana’s fellow draft classmates Jac Caglianone, JJ Weatherholt and Charlie Condon.
Each fall, MLB teams send a handful of prospects to the AFL to act as a sort of “finishing school.” The players combine to form six teams that compete throughout October, getting extra at-bats and innings under the watchful eyes of scouts. It was the perfect sitiation last year for DeLauter, who missed part of the season with injuries and was able to gain valuable plate appearances to continue his development.
Magic Number: 22
Cleveland’s magic number to clinch the American League Central Division is 22. Any combination of Guardians wins as well as losses by the second-place team (currently Minnesota) that adds up to 22 will give Cleveland the division crown.
Before that, the Guardians can clinch a playoff spot with a magic number of 16. Any combination of Cleveland wins and losses by the team currently just out of postseason picture (right now Boston) that adds up to 16 would guarantee the Guardians no worse than a wild card spot.
Today’s game
RHP Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.65) vs. RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.36) Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians Radio Network will carry the game.
What’s next
Here’s what’s happening with the Guardians after Tuesday’s game against the Royals.
Wednesday:RHP Ben Lively (11-6, 3.92) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.12) Wednesday at 7:40 p.m.
Thursday:The Guardians will spend the off day in Los Angeles.
Friday:The Guardians open a three-game series against the Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium. Friday’s game will start at 10:10 p.m. ET.
Monday:The Guardians open a three-game series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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