CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians and Red Sox met only one week ago in a four-game series from Fenway Park. Cleveland won the series by taking three of the four games against Boston. The only loss featured the same pitching matchup that will open the series on Tuesday in Cleveland.
Ben Lively will make his second start in a Guardians uniform on Tuesday. Lively pitched five innings in his first start against the Red Sox. He allowed two runs on three hits, and he recorded seven strikeouts.
“I want him to be himself and go attack with his best stuff,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’re very familiar with these guys we just played them. There might be some little adjustments we make, but again, we always want our pitchers to use their strengths. I expect Ben to go out there and do what he does which is attack the zone with his best stuff all night.”
While Lively looked sharp in his Guardians debut, Tanner Houck for the Red Sox looked even better. Houck’s the only pitcher to shut out the Guardians offense this season. He pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits while striking out nine Cleveland batters.
“Obviously, they all got to see him close to his best, so it’s gathering all that information and let’s go out and compete again tonight,” Vogt said. “This is obviously one of the best pitchers in baseball that we’re facing twice in five to six days. It’s always going to present its challenges when you’re facing somebody that good.”
In four starts this season, Houck owns a 3-1 record with a 1.35 ERA. Tyler Freeman and Bo Naylor didn’t face Houck last week, but the whole team will have to make adjustments and put together better at-bats.
“Let’s go out and let’s compete against him again,” Vogt said. “You’ve gathered the information you just saw him. You try to not do anything different but you hope that he gives us at least one pitch over the middle of the plate tonight because he gave us none five to six days ago. Hopefully, we execute a better plan versus him tonight.”
Back in the lineup – Jose Ramirez is hitting third against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Ramirez had his first scheduled off-day in the series finale against the Athletics on Sunday.
“Obviously he’s such a competitor and he just wants to be in there,” Vogt said. “I just felt that it was really important for him to get two days off his feet. It’s never fun to have that conversation, but he was understanding. I think in the long run it will be really good for him.”
Ramirez has yet to reach mid-season form at the plate. The five-time All-Star has a .239 batting average with three homers and 18 RBI this season. He’s also struck out 12 times while only drawing two walks.
“His performance had nothing to do with the day off,” Vogt said. “This was strictly for his body and his mind. This is Jose Ramirez. He’s going to work his way to have the year that he’s capable of no matter what it looks like.”
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Aside from Ramirez, players like Estevan Florial and Brayan Rocchio are in Tuesday’s lineup to open the series against the Red Sox. Keeping guys in rhythm has been a key to Cleveland’s success on offense to start the season.
“I plan ahead a lot and that can change from time to time,” Vogt said. “It’s been relatively easy so far. These guys are all playing well. I have confidence in whatever nine start the game are going to beat the starter. I have confidence in all 13 of our guys right now and that’s a really cool spot to be in.”
Back in the clubhouse – Gavin Williams has made his way back to Cleveland from Arizona where he was rehabbing his right elbow injury.
According to Cleveland’s President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti, Williams threw three innings and 47 pitches in Arizona on Saturday.
“Obviously we’re happy to have him with us,” Vogt said. “It’s great to see him. He made it through his three innings, and now we’re still determining what the next steps will be for Gavin.”
Williams was placed on the 15-day injured list on March 28th. Last season, he started 16 games and finished the year with a 3-5 record and a 3.29 ERA.
Injury update – James Karinchak has yet to make his debut this season. He’s out with right shoulder inflammation, but he appears to be making good progress.
“He’s out to 250 feet in his throwing program,” Vogt said. “He’s feeling really well and we’re continuing to build him up through his throwing program. He’s been feeling really well for a while now.”
The right-handed reliever was placed on the 60-day injured list on Opening Day. Karinchak went 2-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 44 games out of the Guardians bullpen last season.