It seems like the Cleveland Guardians have had problems all year with teams that use “openers”. When you think about it, it makes sense. The Guardians are so platoon-centric, if the opposition starts a right-hander and then switches to the other arm (or vice versa) it makes sense, that they would have an issue.
Saturday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the White Sox, skipper Steven Vogt started David Fry at 1B because Chicago was going to start rookie southpaw Hagen Smith. Fry got one at bat and when Sox’ manager Will Venable went to righty Jordan Hicks, the Guardians went to Nathaniel Lowe.
In tonight’s Game 2, Vogt is just going with Lowe to start.
We said prior to the series that Jo Adell would be a key because Chicago uses so many lefties. Well, after the first game, we have a problem. Adell took the “golden sombrero”, striking out in all four of his plate appearances.
Adell gets a lot of praise from the club announcers and influencers because he provides some power, and if you are starving, a mere slice of bread becomes a delicacy. The reality is he’s a flawed hitter, mediocre vs. right-handed pitching and very good vs. lefties. He should be a platoon player, but since the Guardians don’t have a lot of power, he becomes important.
And we have said in past posts, that Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter, and to a lesser extent, Angel Martinez got hot in August and September, made more of an impact on Cleveland’s ability to score runs than getting Adell and Lowe at the deadline.
Anyway, we have always believed the even numbered games are the most important until the final and deciding game, so today is a big one for the Guardians. Gavin Williams has pitched some important regular season games and did well in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series a year ago.
He has to come up big today.
Remember, with the 5PM start, the shadows will be a factor for both teams. The Guardians have to get their offense going despite the Sox going with another opener.
