Central Division-leading Cleveland owns the best record in the American League heading into Saturday afternoon’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. But that could change before the All-Star break if the Guardians’ road woes continue.
Cleveland (57-36, .613) is just a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles (57-37, .606) for the AL’s best mark heading into the final two games before the break. That’s despite a so-so 27-25 road record that includes eight losses in the past 10 games away from Progressive Field, where Stephen Vogt’s squad is a league-best 30-11.
The Guardians were shut out for the second time in five games on their current seven-game road trip in Friday night’s series opener, managing just five hits in a 2-0 loss. It was the seventh time this season that Cleveland was shut out, with five of those decisions coming on the road.
The Guardians have lost three straight games and four of their past five.
Vogt gave the credit to Tampa Bay starter Taj Bradley, who has a 1.07 ERA in seven starts since June 8, the lowest in the majors. Bradley scattered five hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out eight before turning it over to the bullpen. Jason Adam struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win.
“We didn’t lose this game because of the runs we gave up,” Vogt said. “We struggled. Taj Bradley was outstanding.”
“Another special performance,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ” … He’s been on just a really impressive run. He should feel really good about himself going into the All-Star break.”
Cash will turn to Zack Littell (3-6, 4.44 ERA) on Saturday, while Cleveland will deploy fellow right-hander Gavin Williams (0-1, 4.82).
Littell is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in nine career games (one start) against the Guardians but comes in off one of his worst starts of the season. He allowed a season-high seven earned runs on nine hits over four innings in a 13-2 road loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Williams will pitch for the third time this season after starting the campaign on the injured list with right elbow discomfort. He tallied five strikeouts over 5 1/3 scoreless innings but did not receive a decision in Cleveland’s 1-0 road loss to the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
“I thought that Gavin was great,” Vogt said. “Velo was obviously there, (and he was) hitting his spots with his fastball. Both breaking balls were really good. Even threw a nice changeup in there.”
Williams topped out at 99.1 mph with his fastball and averaged 97.5 with his four-seamer.
“It’s very encouraging,” said Williams, who went 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts as a rookie in 2023. “I mean, I know what I can do. I know what’s possible. … It’s gonna go up from here.”
Williams is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA in one career start against Tampa Bay.
–Field Level Media