This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Cleveland Guardians already seem geared up for the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins haven’t looked like a playoff contender for some time.
With the postseason in sight, the host Guardians look to win this four-game series from the reeling Twins on Thursday.
Josh Naylor hit a pair of tying solo homers and Brayan Rocchio’s RBI single capped a three-run 10th inning in Cleveland’s 5-4 victory Wednesday. The American League Central-leading Guardians (88-65) are 13-7 since Aug. 28 and have posted a major league-leading 41 comeback victories.
“We never quit,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “When you come from behind late or you outlast a team … it just gives you confidence we can win big games.”
Naylor has been a big-game performer for Cleveland all season. With his 30th and 31st home runs Wednesday, the All-Star is batting .320 with three homers and 13 RBIs in his past 19 contests.
Meanwhile, injuries and inconsistency within the Guardians’ rotation opened the door for scheduled starter Joey Cantillo (2-3, 4.99 ERA), who made his major league debut in late July. In his first four starts, the left-hander went 0-3 with an 8.47 ERA. But since being recalled from the minors Sept. 9, Cantillo has yielded one run, five hits and walked just one, while striking out 16, over 12 innings to win both starts. He gave up three hits and struck out six over five scoreless innings during Cleveland’s 6-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday.
“I just (want) to make sure my job (is) to keep us in the game,” Cantillo said.
In his third career start and only appearance against the Twins, Cantillo lasted 5 2/3 innings at Minnesota on Aug. 9. He yielded three runs, including solo homers to Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers, but received no offensive support while on the mound during the Guardians’ 4-2 defeat.
The Twins (80-72) are 3-9 against Cleveland in 2024. Minnesota is 10-19 since Aug. 18 while clinging to the final AL wild-card spot.
Star Carlos Correa has remained a bright spot for Minnesota. Back from missing nearly two months with a foot injury, Correra is batting .315 after recording three hits and driving in all four of the Twins’ runs Wednesday.
After making an appearance in each of the past two seasons, Minnesota scheduled starter Simeon Woods Richardson (5-5, 4.08) is about to wrap a busy first full campaign in the majors. The right-hander ranks among MLB rookie leaders in starts (26) and innings (128).
However, Woods Richardson, who could be dealing with general fatigue, has not completed more than 4 2/3 innings in any of his past four starts. During that stretch, he went 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA and walked 11 batters. Woods Richardson allowed three walks, five hits and three runs in three-plus innings Saturday during the Twins’ 11-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
“September is the (latest) time I’ve ever pitched, but knowing that, who cares?” Woods Richardson said.
“Like I said, I’ve got to go out there and battle and compete.”
Woods Richardson showed plenty of competitiveness while posting an 0-1 record with a 2.19 ERA in his two career starts against the Guardians — both Twins losses. Naylor and fellow Cleveland All-Star David Fry are a combined 4-for-9 versus Woods Richardson.
–Field Level Media
