News and Notes - Guardians Sweep White Sox

The Guardians take the season series and sweep a deflated White Sox team.

Matthew Boyd took the mound for the Cleveland Guardians in Wednesday’s day game versus the Chicago White Sox, the last in a 9-game road trip. After facing two daunting opponents like the Royals and Dodgers, this series felt like the team took off the ankle weights. Boyd started strong, allowing a single in the 1st but striking out three batters and hitting a batter and allowing a walk in the 2nd but striking out two batters. In the first inning, Boyd was a foul tip away from an immaculate inning.

The third inning should be rewatched top to bottom with the benny hill music playing in the background, because it was just silly. In the bottom of the 3rd, Boyd allowed two singles and a rare throwing error by Andrés Giménez (this scoring could be contested) to load the bases. With one out Lenyn Sosa singled to score Chicago’s first run and Boyd’s sole earned run. During the next at bat, Boyd balked to score another run, a ground out scored another, then the shenanigans finally ended with one final RBI single. In nine batters, Chicago closed the lead to one run. During the last RBI single, the ball did come back at Boyd and hit his glove hand. In the post game interview with manager Stephen Vogt, it was clarified that Boyd’s x-rays were clear and he had a bruise on his glove hand.

There wasn’t much to worry about in game, though the clarification was nice. Boyd came out in the 4th inning and continued to battle. He walked the first batter, but had two strikeouts to end the inning. In the bottom of the 5th Boyd struck out Vaughn but then gave up a double before being relieved by Nick Sandlin. Boyd threw 95 pitches in 4.1 innings of work. He allowed six hits and walked two. Of the four runs allowed, only one was earned. Boyd struck out nine batters.

The Guardians Bullpen continues to reign. Nick Sandlin earned his 8th win, going 1.1 innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out two. Cade Smith earned his 25th hold, going 1.1 innings and striking out two. Hunter Gaddis added his 32nd hold of the season with 1.0 innings of work, striking out all 3 batters faced on 13 pitches. Emmanuel Clase earned his 44th save of the season, tying his record from last season. I personally think Vogt is going the let Clase pitch in as many save situations as he can between now and the end of the season. Clase has a legitimate chance at reaching a 50 save season over the next 16 games.

Cleveland offense continued their dominance over the White Sox pitching staff. Steven Kwan looked back to form with a called strike one followed by a line drive single to center. José Ramírez followed up with a one out single of his own. Steven Kwan advanced to 3rd on a Josh Naylor fly out. José would not be left at first base, runners at the corners is not good enough for him. José stole his 38th base in his quest for 40/40. An effort that was rewarded by Lane Thomas who singled in the in field. However, what usually would be a routine 5-3 out ended up being two RBIs. Lane, with his incredible speed, beat out the good throw to first base all-the-while his teammates were demonstrating their own speed. Kwan scored from third base and José scored from second and Chicago was not able to do anything about it. In the top of the 3rd with one out, Lane Thomas was back up to bat with a familiar situation laid out in front of him. Steven Kwan was on 3rd after walking to get on base. Giménez was on 2nd after hitting a single. Both runners were advanced on a José groundout. With two outs, Lane Thomas hit another two RBI single after beating out the good throw to first and heads up baserunning from his teammates.

I am quite positive that this only happens with Lane Thomas as the batter. Not so much due to his hitting but his speed and ability as a base runner. I do not think there is anyone else on this team capable of doing this twice in the same game, José and Kwan would come very close, but I believe they would have been thrown out at first. Now that his bat is heating up, Lane is showing exactly why the front office sought him out. He is what Myles Straw was for this team in center and on the base path, but he can hit homers and he can consistently get on base and contribute offensively.

We need to go back to the top of the 3rd for a second. Before Lane’s second 2-RBI single of the game, the Guardians were up 2-0 when one Austin Hedges came up to bat and slugged his second home run of the season.

The game would remain 5-4 until the top of the 8th. Will Brennan had been brought in to pinch hit for Jhonkensy Noel in the top of the 6th (where Brennan drew a walk). With runners on the corner, Brennan hit a ground ball to first baseman, scoring Lane from 3rd.

I know that this was a series against the White Sox, but it is impossible to not feel excited about the momentum this series can roll into the end of the season. This team has 11 more games before their next off day, a travel day, after facing St. Louis. It feels like Vogt is sending his version of a playoff line up every day now which is doing good things for those who need consistent at bats. I would not expect to see the team let off the gas and fully expect the “every game is a playoff game” to continue here on out. The Guardians face the Tampa Bay Rays in a 4 game series with a nationally televised game tonight. The Rays were just swept by the Phillies and will be down a pitcher until Friday. The AL Central magic number is 13.

AL Central Standings

at the time of writing

Cleveland Guardians - 84-62

Kansas City Royals - 80-66 - 4.0 GB

Minnesota Twins - 77-68 - 6.5 GB

Detroit Tigers - 75-71 - 9.0 GB

Chicago White Sox - 33-114 - 51.5 GB

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Cleveland Guardians News

George Valera waiting on MRI results on his right knee after an awkward jump Tuesday night.

Angel Genao listed as the Guardians prospect MLB writer Sam Dykstra most wants to see in the AFL.

Around the League

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto become first Yankees duo to record 100+ RBI each since 2011.

The Mets rally behind a Lindor solo shot in the 9th breaking up a no-hit bid and defeating the Blue Jays.

Edwin Uceta (2 games) and Kevin Cash (1 game) suspended after intentionally hitting Nick Castellanos.

Nick Castellanos naturally hit a home run yesterday.