CLEVELAND — The Guardians have a ways to go before they become a convincing zombie — a once dead team supernaturally reanimated for the MLB playoff chase.
However, the Guardians showed a bit of life Aug. 26 by ending a 28-inning scoreless drought and snapping a six-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
First pitch for the third and final matchup of the series between the Guardians (65-66) and Rays (64-68) is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Aug. 27 at Progressive Field. Check back here for updates throughout the game.
Here is some pregame information:
For the Guardians, pitcher Slade Cecconi is set to start opposite fellow right-hander Drew Rasmussen.
Cecconi has started 17 Guardians games this season, earning a record of 5-6 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He has struck out 79 batters and walked 26 in 96 innings.
Rasmussen will make his 25th start this season. He has earned a record of 10-5 with a 2.62 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, striking out 108 and walking 27 in 123⅔ innings. He appeared in his first MLB All-Star Game this season, receiving a nod as an injury replacement.
Cleveland Guardians players | Today’s lineup vs Tampa Bay RaysSteven Kwan, LFBrayan Rocchio, 2BKyle Manzardo, DHC.J. Kayfus, 1BGabriel Arias, SSNolan Jones, RFWill Wilson, 3BAngel Martinez, CFAustin Hedges, CWhy Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is not in the lineup for the series finale vs. Rays
Guardians six-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is not in the lineup for the series finale against the Rays.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt explained the team wanted to give Ramirez two days off in a row before playing 17 consecutive games.
“Hosey’s been playing a ton, obviously, playing every day, and we’re about to go 17 in a row after the off day [on Aug. 28], so we just thought in talking with him, hey, two days [off] and help him just kind of get everything under order,” Vogt said. “I mean, we all know Hosey plays hard and he’s always playing through little [injury] things, and he’s been playing through things all year. So [we want to] get him two days and then be ready to go for the 17 in a row.”
The Cleveland Guardians are on Carlos Santana watch
The Guardians placed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana on outright waivers.
The development means one of MLB’s other 29 teams could claim Santana, 39. The catch is the claiming team would be responsible for paying the remainder of the $12 million salary he is owed. The amount is roughly $2 million.
If Santana were to go unclaimed, the Guardians could keep him or sever ties to clear the way for a prospect to be promoted.
Santana has spent 11 of his 16 MLB seasons with Cleveland. He signed a one-year deal with the Guardians in December, giving him a third tour with the franchise. This season, Santana is batting .225 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, 52 RBIs and a .649 OPS in 116 games.
MLB Standings: Cleveland Guardians playoff picture
The Guardians don’t have a prayer of winning the American League Central Division for the second consecutive season. They entered Aug. 27 in third place in the division, 11½ games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers (78-56) and two games behind the second-place Kansas City Royals (68-65).
The only slim playoff hopes the Guardians still have are for a wild-card spot. They entered Aug. 27 five games behind the Seattle Mariners for AL’s the third and final wild-card berth. The Royals and Texas Rangers are ahead of the Guardians in the wild-card standings, too. The Royals headed into Aug. 27 three games behind the Mariners. The Rangers were 4½ games behind the Mariners.
After an off day Aug. 28, the Guardians will host the Mariners for three games Aug. 29-31. In the final month of the regular season, the Guardians will host the Royals for four games Sept. 8-11 and the Rangers for three games Sept. 26-28.
Heading into Aug. 27, FanGraphs gave the Guardians a 4% chance to make the playoffs.
So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Where can I watch the Guardians game today?
The game on Aug. 27 can be viewed on AT&T U-verse (Channel 1736), COX (Channel 80), DIRECTV Satellite and Streaming (Channel 662), FuboTV, Spectrum (Channel 1306) and MLB Network (out of market only). It can be streamed via MLB’s direct-to-consumer streaming subscription (CLEGuardians.TV). And it’ll be available on the radio via WTAM 1100 and WARF 1350.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.