BOSTON — The streaky Guardians, if they’re going to have a chance to reach the postseason in the wild card race, need to get hot again.
They beat Boston, 8-1, Wednesday night at Fenway Park to end a three-game slide. Now they have a four-game series against the Rays, who are directly in front of them in pursuit of Seattle and the third and final American League wild card spot.
During the last homestand, the Guardians took two out of three games from the Rays. The Rays, however, are currently on a six-game winning streak.
“Every game counts. We know what this team is capable of,” said lefty Joey Cantillo, who held the Red Sox to one run over six innings on Wednesday. “It doesn’t matter if we have a bad two days or a good two days, we’re staying in it.
“This team can go on big runs, as we’ve seen this season.”
The Guardians lost 10 straight games from June 26 through July 6. They responded by going 23-9 from July 7 through Aug. 14. Then they lost nine of their next 10 games from Aug. 15 through Aug. 25.
They are currently 4-3 in their last seven games headed into Thursday night’s game against the Rays.
BETTING: Guardians -1.5 runline is listed at +199 on DraftKings for Thursday’s game versus the Rays. Our complete DraftKings Sportsbook review will guide you and help you learn how to use their site.
“We aren’t playing horribly,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “The last two games we’ve done a nice job offensively (15 runs on 22 hits). We just have to keep winning games.
“We control our own destiny.”
The Guardians at 69-69 have 24 games left to play in the regular season.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias.APBreakfast and trivia
It was a happy flight from Boston to Tampa on Wednesday night for the Guardians after their win over the Red Sox. But when they awoke Thursday morning, it was time to get back to work.
The Guardians need a hearty breakfast to help them stay alert for tonight’s game against the Rays. They’ll be playing at George Steinbrenner Stadium, the Yankees’ spring training home, after Tropicana Field was severely damaged during a hurricane. It’s unlikely many of the Guardians have played there since the Guards have spring training in Arizona.
Let’s go with three eggs, sunnyside up, whole wheat toast and orange juice. That’s a good shot of protein for the day.
Now for the Guardians question of the day: Gabriel Arias hit a monster home run over The Green Monster in Cleveland’s six-run second inning Wednesday. What is Arias’ career batting average at Fenway Park? Answer below.
Next
Thursday: The Guardians travel to Tampa to play the Rays in a four-game set. LHP Logan Allen (7-10, 4.62) will start for Cleveland, while RHP Ryan Pepiot (10-10, 3.70) starts for Tampa Bay. Game time is 7:35 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Friday: RHP Gavin Williams (9-5, 3.26) vs. LHP Ian Seymour (3-0, 2.97) at 7:35 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Saturday: RHP Tanner Bibee (9-11, 4.77) vs. RHP Shane Baz (9-11, 4.98) at 7:05 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Sunday: LHP Parker Messick (1-0, 2.08) vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.74) at 12:10 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Monday: The Guardians open a seven-game homestand with a four-game series against the Royals.
Trivia answer
Arias is hitting .349 (8 for 23) with four doubles, one homer, four RBI and eight walks in his 13 career games at Fenway.
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