As I’ve mentioned before, my wife and I have four children ages five and under. So, there are many times we wake up in the morning and plan out how exactly we are going simply to SURVIVE the day and week ahead of us. I believe the Cleveland Guardians, facing two games against the Diamondbacks, four against the Twins and three against the Cubs before an off-day next Thursday are in a similar position trying to keep their AL Central leave alive as exhausted parents are trying to make sure their children are alive, fed, and well-cared for.
So, here’s the plan, folks.
1. Let it rain.
After an extra-inning game last night, the second of two bullpen-heavy games, the Guardians could use a night off tonight. Given that Thursday is also a day off, I think we need to place our bets on a traditional double-header on Wednesday, during which the Guardians can add a 27th man to the roster. It’s also possible, given that it’s a get-away game for Arizona, that they punt the game to make it up at the end of the season if possible. If so, even better for the Guardians as the game is in Cleveland. So, bring on the forecasted rain which, currently, makes it about a 50/50 shot it’ll be raining when the game is about to start tonight.
2. Free Strzelecki.
Whether as the 27th man for a double-header, or as a replacement for Nick Sandlin who is struggling and needs either a reset or an IL stint, I think it’s time to see if Peter Strzelecki can get something closer to his 11 K/9 he’s shown in Columbus if given more of a run in Cleveland. Strzelecki isn’t walking any batters his slider is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, and I think he’s going to be a more reliable option at getting batters out than Sandlin, currently. The crucial factor is that if the Guardians promote Strzelecki as anything other than the 27th man, they cannot demote him without exposing him to waivers. I think it’s time to make that move, if needed, but I doubt they will.
3. Let the Old Men Give the Young Guns a Breather
Alex Cobb should be set to start in Minnesota and if Matthew Boyd’s start on Wednesday night goes well, he will be lined up to start Monday in Chicago against the Cubs. This is needed. I can’t tell you exactly what either starting pitcher will be able to do, but the time is now to see if reliable, veteran presences can give this team a chance to breathe, especially their young starters and dominant but overworked bullpen. If Tanner Bibee’s shoulder is ok, the team can also move Carlos Carrasco to the pen, allowing any tired arms to take a break if something is nagging them, or replacing Pedro Avila (Cookie’s stuff is better than Avila’s, and should play up in the pen).
4. Call Up Kyle Manzardo on Wednesday
If things go as planned, the Guardians will face Brandon Pfaadt and then 3-4 right-handed Twins pitchers over the weekend. Manzardo has an .860 OPS against right-handed pitching in Columbus this season and a 138 wRC+ there, overall. Meanwhile, the Guardians continue to have Tyler Freeman, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez on the roster. Look, I like things about each player, ESPECIALLY Martinez. I reluctantly accept that Brayan Rocchio is going to remain on the roster to play defense especially when ground ball monster Alex Cobb is on the mound. I reluctantly accept that if Andres Gimenez moves to short, it will not happen until the offseason, so Juan Brito and his 140 wRC+ since May isn’t going to help us at second base. But, I will not accept that this team can’t find a way to get Manzardo back on the roster with those four players taking up spots. Pick your poison, bite the bullet, and move to a Manzardo/Fry platoon at DH/1B with Naylz as your everyday starter at the position one of them isn’t at. It’s time for Manzardo to show why the Guardians were willing to trade a viable starting pitcher arm for him. Thomas’s ability to play centerfield gives you the ability to make this move.
5. Quickly realize that Lane Thomas is a platoon bat.
Lane Thomas crushes lefties and struggles against right-handers. Thomas does hit curveballs and sinkers well, so the Guardians need to levergage those abilities against right-handed pitchers, but, if a right hander has a repetoire that doesn’t depend on either of those pitches, Thomas needs to be used as a pinch-hitter to smash lefty-relievers. This gives the team a chance to let Angel Martinez or Daniel Schneemann (I prefer they demote Freeman if they’re not going to let him play short, as you can see) get AB’s against RHP, or even Noel who at least gives you home run potential. I know some are saying that the book is out on Noel - if that’s true, then demote Big Christmas for Manzardo. If Noel’s here, his potential value of smacking a mistake a mile is greater than Thomas’s potential value against most right-handed pitching.
It’s going to be a stressful week but I have confidence the Guardians will find a way to get the job done. There is just going to need to be some grinding and gutting it out to put this division to bed, sleeping happily like my toddlers after a full day of playgrounds and pools. Let’s hope Guardians fans end up seeing the next few days as full of as much fun as a playground and pool.