CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Cleveland Guardians placed Quantrill on the injured list on July 6th with right shoulder inflammation.
“We’re trying to give him milestones and progress more and more and more,” manager Terry Francona said. “By his own admission, he feels pretty good. We just wanna try to give him a foundation where when he comes back he can stay back.”
Quantrill made two starts since returning from a previous stint on the IL with the same injury. In those two starts, he gave up 11 earned runs on 19 hits in under eight innings pitched.
Welcoming the Phillies – This is the first time and only time the Guardians and Phillies will meet in 2023. Also, it’s the first time that Cleveland has hosted a series against Philadelphia since 2019.
Schedule changes were implemented before the year started and now each team will play one another every season.
“Regardless of how I feel, if it’s good for the game we need to just hush up and do it,” Francona said. “I don’t mind it because I think it’s pretty fair. I don’t know if it’s in our best interest, but you have to look at the game. I know it’s a lot more for the coaches as far as getting ready for series because it’s way more teams than we’re used to playing.”
The defending National League champions have won 12 straight games against the American League. That’s tied for the second-longest Interleague winning streak in major league history.
Home sweet home – This is the Guardians first home game since the All-Star break. The last time they played at Progressive Field was on July 9th when they lost 4-1 to the Royals.
“I’ve always liked playing here,” Francona said. “I think regardless of where we play, we’re trying to win the game that night that’s how we always feel. Like if this road trip were to continue somewhere else, we wouldn’t feel any different.”
The Guardians are 24-22 at home in 2023. That record is two games worse than the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins record at home. The Guardians come into Friday’s game two games back of the Twins in the division.
Nayling it – Since May 30th, Josh Naylor has a .395 batting average, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 17 doubles, and 27 runs scored. Naylor’s 43 RBI in that stretch is tied for first with Shohei Ohtani.
“I also think confidence is a big thing. He’s always been fearless, but I think he feels like if he can reach it, he can hit it,” Francona said. “One of the biggest things I’ve seen is that he’s made adjustments. Before if his helmet came off you’re like ‘oh man,’ but now he reels it back in and that shows maturity.”
Naylor leads the team in batting average (.310), home runs (15), and RBI (75) this season. He’s the only MLB player with a .310-or-better batting average with 70+ RBI. Naylor plays first base Friday and will bat cleanup.
Bullpen woes – The Guardians bullpen has given up 20 earned runs since the All-Star break.
“I think I feel like we do have a good bullpen,” Francona said. “We had a tough road trip, and what’s hard for me is because I do believe in them knowing that they’ve gone through a tough week, how much rope do you give a guy because you do believe in them and that can be challenging. I think to expect them to be flawless is not fair. It hurts when it happens but it’s part of the game.”
Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee will start for Cleveland in the first two games of the Phillies series. A starter has yet to be announced for Sunday which will likely be a bullpen game.
Harper at first – Bryce Harper will make his debut at first base tonight for the Phillies. He has appeared in 63 games this season, all played as the designated hitter.
“I haven’t seen him at first, but we’re going to be the first team to,” Francona said. “From watching him for years, he looks to me like a semi-decent athlete. He’s had time to work at it and I’m sure they wouldn’t put him out there until they were comfortable he’d be able to do it.”
Harper has a .295 batting average with four home runs and 26 RBI this season. He makes his return to the field after nearly two years and will bat cleanup on Friday.
