News and Notes: Guardians and Padres Reverse Roles from Friday to Saturday

News and Notes for Sunday, July 21st, 2024

After shutting out the Padres 7-0 on Friday, the Guardians got shutout 7-0 by the Padres on Saturday.

Saturday was way less fun, in my humble opinion.

Dylan Cease was remarkably dominant, Hunter Wendelstadt was remarkably inconsistent, and Gavin Williams was unremarkably mediocre (velocity was good and no one knew where the zone was). Tyler Freeman had the team’s only hit and Andres Gimenez had the team's only walk.

But, hey, Pedro Avila won the contest for the team's future longman over Spencer Howard who got ROCKED. Wonder whom the Guardians are starting on Tuesday next week, now? I suspect Howard will be DFA'd, possibly even today.

It is very important for the Guardians to find a way to get some runs across the board in the next four days as they are seeing an excellent Michael King today, and Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty from Detroit Monday and Wednesday next week. Sometimes, like last night, a starting pitcher has his stuff and you lose. They need to find a way to win some of these games where the opposing starter is going very well in the week ahead.

Zack Meisel of the Athletic wrote about Travis Bazzana's introduction. Meanwhile, Bazzana took batting practice with the Guardians:

Chris Antonetti went on the radio broadcast. He didn't say much notable but people did try to make something out of him saying the team will be trying to make deals and out of him saying that the guys currently on the team will have to get them to the playoffs. Both statements are so obviously true as to be entirely non-controversial.

Kyle Manzardo should be back in Cleveland:

Around MLB:

The Twins lost, but the Royals and Tigers both won.