CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ six-man starting rotation is 10 games into its second revolution. It’s hard to argue with the results.

The Guardians were 8-2, headed into Saturday night’s game, since adding lefty Joey Cantillo to the five-man staff of Logan Allen, Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick and Slade Cecconi on Sept. 3.

The Guardians made the move because they were playing 17 games in 17 days and they wanted to monitor the innings of their starters.

They were able to add Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus because the rosters expanded to 28 players on Sept. 1. Teams can carry only 13 pitchers before Sept. 1.

“When we mapped it out, it just made a lot of sense for this stretch,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “The results have been great. In between starts, they’ve been able to get some extra work because they get an extra day of rest.

“And they’re well rested when they do pitch.”

The Guardians’ pitching staff, through Friday’s 4-0 win over the White Sox, has allowed four or fewer runs in each of the last 10 games. They’ve posted a 1.69 ERA in those 10 games.

The starters have gone 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA (13 runs in 66 2/3 innings), 14 walks and 51 strikeouts in that stretch. Cantillo and Williams are each 2-0.

The Guardians have an off day Monday before playing the final 13 games of the regular season in 14 days. Vogt said they would discuss how to handle the rotation after that.

Vogt did not think it would be possible to use a six-man rotation for an entire season.

“I don’t think you can do it because you can only have 13 pitchers,” said Vogt. “If you went with a six-man rotation, you’d be relying on only seven relievers.

“I think you could do it for short stretches, but to do it for an entire season probably wouldn’t be sustainable for the bullpen.”

Testing, testing

Left-hander John Means left Cleveland on Saturday to join Columbus in St. Paul, Minnesota. He’s scheduled to start a rehab game against the St. Paul Saints, the Twins’ Triple-A team, on Sunday.

Means, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in 2024, has been battling a virus for the last several days.

“I’m feeling better,” said Means.

If all goes well Sunday, Means could be in line to pitch Saturday against the Twins at Target Field. The Guardians are scheduled to play a day-night doubleheader that day.

Asked about Means possibly pitching in the day-nighter Vogt said, “We’re waiting to see where he is when he comes out of it (Sunday’s start). We have to finish the rehab properly before we can even think about how he slots back in.”

FinallyBibee’s shutout over the White Sox on Friday night was the first by a Guardians pitchers in 888 games, according to OptaStats. It was third longest dry spell in the big leagues behind Washington (982) and Tampa Bay (1,503)The Guardians own the best record in the AL Central this year at 26-14 headed into Saturday night’s game.

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