A pair of AL Central opponents continue a critical series that could go a long way toward determining the division crown on the south side of the Windy City. The Cleveland Guardians are on the road as they play the middle game of a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night. Cleveland took four of five at home from the reeling Twins as they prevailed 11-4 in the series finale Monday afternoon. Chicago took the rubber game of a three-game set with the Tigers on the road, winning 11-5 Sunday afternoon. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the opening game of the set Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Cleveland won for the 10th time in 12 games as they beat the Twins to take four of five in that series between AL Central foes. The Guardians entered Tuesday holding a four-game advantage on the White Sox in the race for the division crown. On Monday afternoon, Steven Kwan (run, RBI), Amed Rosario (three runs, three RBI), Jose Ramirez (two runs, RBI), Josh Naylor (run, three RBI) and Andres Gimenez (RBI) each had two hits in the win. Rosario (his 11th), Luke Maile (his third) and Naylor (his 18th) each homered in the victory. Cal Quantrill (13-5) earned the win as he threw 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Sam Hentges threw 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits with no walks and two strikeouts, for his first save of the year.
Triston McKenzie is on the hill for the Guardians as he logs his 29th appearance and 28th start of the season in this contest. He comes in 10-11 with a 3.08 ERA, a 0.975 WHIP, 43 walks and 167 strikeouts over 172.1 innings of work on the year. McKenzie didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came against the Twins at home Friday. He threw seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in a 4-3 Guardians triumph. In his last three starts, McKenzie is 1-0 with a 2.29 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, four walks and 18 strikeouts over 19.2 innings of work. McKenzie makes his 10th career appearance and ninth start against the White Sox in this contest. He is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA, a 1.309 WHIP, 20 walks and 52 strikeouts over 36.2 innings of work. McKenzie is 0-1 with an 8.62 ERA, a 1.404 WHIP, 11 walks and 18 strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work in four career starts at Guaranteed Rate Field.