Browns draft picks will throw first pitches before series opener vs. Twins: Guardians breakfast

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns draft picks Mike Hall Jr. and Zak Zinter will throw out ceremonial first pitches at the Guardians’ series opener against the Twins Friday at Progressive Field.

Hall, the No. 54 pick from Ohio State, and Zinter, the No. 85 selection who played for that team up north, will take the mound in Cleveland’s new Nike City Connect jerseys to open a three-game set with Minnesota that has first-place implications in the American League Central Division.

But they will not be the only Browns players to temporarily switch sports during the homestand. Tuesday’s matchup with the Mets will feature another visit by Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, who will throw out a first pitch for at least the third time since being drafted by the team in the first round in 2018.

Ceremonial first pitches that day will also be thrown by Guardians alumni Rajai Davis and Ubaldo Jimenez.

Cleveland has already hosted alumni Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley for first pitches during their home opener and had WWE star Mike “The Miz” Mizanin on the mound during their most recent homestand.

What’s on the line

In the tightly bunched AL Central, the first-place Guardians hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Royals and a 2 1/2-game lead over the Twins.

Here are the pitching matchujps for the series against Minnesota.

Friday: RHP Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.54) vs. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 3.24) at 7:10 p.m. Apple TV+, WTAM, WMMS, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Saturday: LHP Logan Allen (4-2, 5.56) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.77) at 6:10 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Sunday: RHP Tanner Bibee (2-1, 4.34) vs. RHP Chris Paddack (4-2, 4.89) 1:40 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Trivia: Who threw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of last season’s home opener for the Guardians? Answer below.

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What’s next

The Guardians welcome the Mets to Cleveland for the first time since losing two of three in April of 2016. New York swept the Guards in a three-game series at Citi Field last year.

Cleveland is off May 23 before starting a six-game trip with a three-game series against the Angels at Angels Stadium on May 24.

Trivia answer: Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce kicked off a big year by taking the mound and firing a wild first pitch to Shane Bieber ahead of the 2023 Guardians home opener.