Field Level Media
30 Sep 2022, 13:49 GMT+10
The American League Central champion Cleveland Guardians will open their final 2022 series against the division rival Kansas City Royals when the clubs begin a three-game set on Friday night.
The visiting Royals (63-93) will be looking to rebound from a stinging 10-3 defeat in Detroit on Thursday, a result that allowed the Tigers to complete a three-game home sweep.
Down 10-0 after seven innings, Kansas City finally got a two-run double from pinch hitter Ryan O'Hearn and an RBI double from Nate Eaton, but the Royals fell a half-game behind Detroit (63-92) into last in the division.
Kansas City made moves Thursday involving a pair of right-handers, activating Taylor Clarke off the injured list and optioning Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha. Clarke, 29, wound up facing one batter in the finale vs. the Tigers and recording a strikeout.
Recovered from a left oblique strain, Clarke is 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA and two saves in 45 appearances out of the Royals' bullpen.
Cuas, 28, is an interesting reliever the organization is trying to keep fresh.
A converted shortstop who nearly quit the game, the 28-year-old former University of Maryland Terrapin has posted solid numbers on the team's back end.
Across 47 outings and 37 2/3 innings, Cuas sports a 4-2 record, one save and a 3.58 ERA with 34 strikeouts. Hits allowed (39) and walks (24, two intentional) have been a concern, resulting in a 1.673 WHIP.
Kansas City manager Mike Matheny said the workload may be taking its toll on the former middle infielder.
"If you look at his ability to throw strikes, in the past and especially early on in the season, I think when you see that start to fall off a little bit, you're just seeing fatigue," Matheny said. "We talk about all the starters, about understanding that this time of year is new for them. This is way new for Jose."
Kansas City's Brady Singer (10-4, 2.99 ERA) will start in Cleveland on Friday as he seeks to extend his career-high win total.
In four starts during September, the right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA. Against the Guardians, he owns a career mark of 2-0 with a 4.25 ERA in eight games, seven of them starts. Singer has no decisions and a 5.63 ERA in three games, two starts, vs. Cleveland this year.
The Guardians (88-68) did Thursday night what they do better than any club in the American League: win very late.
Oscar Gonzalez's two-out infield single scored Steven Kwan to cap a two-run, eighth-inning rally that lifted Cleveland to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Guardians won the final two games of the three-game series.
"We just have a bunch of dogs on our team," said Will Brennan, who started the rally with a pinch-hit single.
The Guardians lead the AL with 29 victories in their final at-bat.
Aaron Civale (3-6, 5.19 ERA) will start on Friday for Cleveland, which pushed back Zach Plesac to Saturday as he comes back from a broken hand.
Civale earned a win in his latest start, giving up two runs in five innings during a 10-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday. In two starts against the Royals this season, he is 0-0 with a 2.61 ERA. In five career starts vs. Kansas City, he is 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Sports Sun 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 Sports Sun.
More InformationBOSTON, Massachusetts: Private equity investor William Chisholm has agreed to buy the Boston Celtics in a record-breaking deal worth...
(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images) Juan Soto blasted a solo home run and Tylor Megill pitched effectively into the sixth...
(250329) -- TORONTO, March 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Scottie Barnes (top) of Toronto Raptors vies with KJ Simpson of Charlotte Hornets during...
(Photo credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images) OG Anunoby scored 31 points and Mikal Bridges added 26 to lead the New York Knicks to...
(Photo credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images) Steph Curry overcame a slow start in his return from injury to score 23 points as the visiting...
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) Julius Randle had 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists, and the Minnesota Timberwolves...
(Photo credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images) When it comes to the value of Major League Baseball teams, there are the New York Yankees,...
ESPN, Disney+, and Skydance Sports today announced the development of an upcoming ESPN Original Series on the Kansas City Chiefs. Produced...
On Wednesday, March 26, ESPN front office insider Mike Tannenbaum held a 2025 NFL Draft media call following the release of his latest...
In anticipation of the three-day 2025 NFL Draft kicking off one month from today (April 24), ESPN will amplify content across different...
Simmons worked 42 years for Saints as head equipment manager and alumni/legends coordinator New Orleans Saints Below is a statement...
Ryan Mink The Ravens have reached a three-year contract extension with Head Coach John Harbaugh through the 2028 season Harbaugh...