CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians have a chance of winning a third consecutive series with a win on Wednesday. The last time the team won three or more series in a row was when they ended the 2022 regular season with five straight series wins.
The Guardians are 8-7 in rubber matches this season, including a 5-5 record at home. They have dropped each of their last five series finales since defeating the Chicago Cubs on July 2nd.
listen to 92.3 the fan
The Royals haven’t won a rubber match in Cleveland in 10 years and have lost eight consecutive series-deciding games at Progressive Field. Kansas City is winless in their last six series in Cleveland.
Kansas City holds a 2-6 record in rubber matches this season. With a win on Wednesday, the Royals would secure their fifth series win of the season and their first since June 30th-July 2nd when they took two of three against the Dodgers.
Williams on the bump – Gavin Williams is set to make the seventh start of his career on Wednesday. Williams holds a 1-1 record with a 4.98 ERA at home this season.
The rookie right-hander has pitched 12 2/3 innings against the Royals in two starts this year. In those games, Williams gave up a combined three runs on nine hits and struck out 13 batters.
His outing today marks the 50th start by a rookie arm in 2023, tied for most in baseball with Oakland.
Something to watch out for on Wednesday is his pitch count. Williams pitched four innings last time out against the Phillies and threw 81 pitches. It was the first time in his career that he hasn’t pitched into the fifth inning. Williams left the game as he made coaches aware in the dugout that he was developing a callus or blister on his hand.
“I think it was more of a hot spot trending that way,” pitching coach Carl Willis said on Sunday.
Williams was given a day to recover in the five days of rest between starts as his bullpen session was pushed back. Thankfully, the bullpen should be well-rested in case Williams can’t make it deep into the game after Aaron Civale’s eight-inning gem on Tuesday.
Chase for .500 – The Guardians have held an even record eight times this season, and they’ll go for their ninth in the series finale against the Royals.
Cleveland is .500 against the AL Central in 2023 with a 14-14 record. Heading into Wednesday, the Guardians sit three games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Twins are 9-3 since the All-Star break and play the Mariners Wednesday afternoon.
Lookout for the long ball – Alec Marsh is Wednesday’s starting pitcher for the Royals. He’s making his fifth career start and first against the Guardians.
To start his career, Marsh is 0-4 with a 6.20 ERA in four starts. He’s allowed eight home runs through four career appearances which is a club record for Kansas City. Marsh is ahead of Will Smith, who allowed seven homers in his first four career games in 2012.