CLEVELAND, OH - Throughout the 2024 season, the Cleveland Guardians (77-59) have been searching for solutions to the club's starting pitching conundrum. The team appears to have found at least one answer in veteran Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) who delivered yet another stellar start since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Boyd, 33, pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight Pirates hitters. His 90 pitches were the most the lefty has thrown all season, while his 59 strikes were the second most, only to his debut against the Chicago Cubs on August 13th.
“He's throwing the ball well and just kept them off balance,” Vogt said of Boyd's performance after the game. “[Boyd] made pitches when he needed to, and went deep into the game. He did everything we could have asked from him and more.”
After losing Shane Bieber and trying Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen, Carlos Carrasco, among others, having a veteran like Boyd, who has allowed more than one run just once in his four starts, is a stabilizing force in that group that the team sorely needs.
One of the other benefits that Boyd brings to the table is his veteran leadership among a young starting rotation. Boyd and fellow veteran Alex Cobb, who will make his return from the injured list tomorrow, both add a combined 20 seasons of experience for the pitching staff to be able to gain from and get advice down the stretch in the playoff run ahead.
Call in the reinforcements!
Cobb, as mentioned earlier, will make his return, getting the start tomorrow against the Pirates. He will be the pitcher called up with the rosters expanding to 28 tomorrow.
The Guardians are able to call-up one pitcher and one hitter with the expansion. With Cobb filling the pitcher's spot, it is expected that Guardians prospect Kyle Manzardo will receive the call-up back to the big leagues.
Manzardo, 24, previously hit .207 with the Guardians in 82 at-bats in just 30 games. Of the left-handed hitter's 17 hits, ten of them were doubles. Since being sent down on June 18th, Manzardo has been playing well with the Columbus Clippers, hitting 16 doubles, seven home runs and a .777 OPS over his last 30 games.
While those moves are expected, there are other candidates who merit potentially receiving the drive up I-71 to Cleveland from Columbus.
Outfielder prospect George Valera has hit .333 with seven home runs and 11 RBI in his last 13 games, while also playing against right-handed pitchers. He could provide a platoon partner for Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas, who has had tremendous success against left-handed pitching in his career.
Another prospect who could add some help is Juan Brito. The switch-hitter started as a second baseman, but has added positional versatility, playing first base along with corner outfield this season with Columbus. His bat has been his biggest strength, by far, and has been heating up at the plate recently, hitting a blistering .359 over his last nine games and three home runs for the month of August.
Finally, the name that makes the most sense is a familiar one for Guardians fans, shortstop Gabriel Arias. Arias, 24, was sent down on July 11th to Columbus, focusing on playing shortstop rather than playing many different positions as he had throughout the season, and, after a tweak in his swing, he's absolutely torched Triple-A pitching.
In 112 at-bats in 29 games with Columbus, Arias has hit .330 with four doubles & triples, five home runs, and a monsterous .946 OPS. With the recent struggles of Brayan Rocchio at the plate and in the field, Arias could be an alternative at shortstop with more offensive pop.
What's next?
As previously mentioned, Cobb will take the mound for the Guardians on Sunday. The Pirates will counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (11-8, 3.84) on the mound. First pitch from Progressive Field comes at 1:40 PM.