Yesterday, we went 0-2, but the good news is that we can only go up from here. We’ll also get a bit of an early start as it is getaway day across the majors. Let’s bounce back in a big way with my top NRFI plays of the slate.
The Guardians will be looking for a quick two-game sweep of the Padres in this contest, and the man in charge of shutting down San Diego will be Cal Quantrill. Quantrill has had a breakout campaign for the Guardians. He enters with a 3.77 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. However, he’s been even better in the first inning this season. Through 23 starts, Quantrill holds a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. Those numbers are staggering, and they will be up against a Padres lineup that has disappointed. San Diego is just 21st in first-inning runs per game despite having Juan Soto and Manny Machado at the top of their order.
Blake Snell will get the call for the bottom of the first, and while he has not quite returned to Cy Young form, he’s been very good season. Just like Quantrill, his numbers in the first are tremendous. In 16 starts, Snell has a 2.25 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and a 39 percent strikeout rate in the first inning alone. That strikeout rate will come in handy as the Guardians boast the lowest strikeout rate in the majors. If Snell can settle down early, he should lock down this play.