CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Friday night features the return of Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber.
Bieber was initially placed on the 15-day injured list on July 15th and was transferred to the 60-day IL nine days later with right elbow inflammation.
He’s made 19 starts in 2023 and owns a 5-6 record with a 3.77 ERA. In his last rehab start at Triple-A Columbus, Bieber pitched 3.2 hitless innings with seven strikeouts on 64 pitches.
“I would say he won’t eclipse 80 [pitches],” manager Terry Francona said. “I know I always say it, but it depends on how he gets there.”
Bieber holds a 3-1 record with a 3.09 ERA with 52 strikeouts in five career starts against Baltimore. His only start against the Orioles in 2023 came on May 31st when he tied a career high in runs allowed with seven.
“Anytime you play a game you certainly want to win,” Francona said. “The biggest goal though is getting him in and out and through this and the next start, so he goes home and then he comes back next year and he’s competing, not rehabbing. I think he deserves that, and that’s the hope.”
Playoff hopes - A loss on Friday night would eliminate Cleveland from postseason contention.
In Terry Francona’s 11-year tenure with the Guardians, the club has played a total of 18 games in which they were threatened to be eliminated from postseason contention.
The Minnesota Twins hold an eight-and-a-half-game lead in the AL Central and the Guardians have eight regular season games left. The Twins host the Angels this weekend for a three-game series. Davis Daniel (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will pitch for the Halos on Friday in only his second career start.
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Minnesota is one win away from clinching the division. The last time they won the AL Central was in the shortened 2020 regular season.
O’s moves – Before Friday night’s game, the Orioles recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells from Triple-A Norfolk.
In a corresponding move, Baltimore optioned reliever Mike Baumann to Triple-A.
The Orioles bullpen was put to work in the series opener on Thursday. Five Baltimore relievers combined for four innings pitched with most of the damage coming against Cionel Perez in the eighth inning.
Kid Cudi Day – September 22nd marks Kid Cudi Day at Progressive Field.
The Grammy Award winning musician and multi-platinum recording artist will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch on Friday.
The first 10,000 fans who enter the stadium will be given an exclusive Kid Cudi bobblehead in celebration of his upcoming ninth studio album, INSANO.
Postgame fireworks inspired by the Cleveland native’s music will wrap up the festivities.