On a vibrant Wednesday night in the Bronx, two leading teams from the American League prepare to clash as the Cleveland Guardians face off against the New York Yankees in the second game of a three-game series. The Guardians recently endured a tough series against the Brewers, suffering a 2-0 defeat in their last game on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Yankees fell short in their rubber match against the Tigers, losing 3-2 in an intense 10-inning battle during the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This preview is crafted before the conclusion of Tuesday’s opening game at Yankee Stadium.
Cleveland Aiming to Regain Momentum
The Guardians have had a rollercoaster month of August, marked by streaky performances. After starting strong with two wins, they hit a rough patch with seven consecutive losses, only to bounce back with five wins in a row. However, they entered Tuesday’s matchup with three straight losses following a sweep by the Brewers. Sitting at 72-52, Cleveland maintains a 2.5-game lead over the Twins and Royals in the AL Central division. In their last outing, the Guardians struggled offensively, managing just two hits, with Steven Kwan and Will Brennan each contributing a single. Their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident as they went 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position, leaving four runners stranded on base. Ben Lively (10-8) delivered a quality start but suffered the loss, allowing two runs on five hits, with two walks and five strikeouts over six innings.
Originally slated to start, Alex Cobb was placed on the injured list due to a broken nail, leading to the expected debut of Joey Cantillo for his fourth start of the season. Cantillo, who is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA, a 1.615 WHIP, six walks, and nine strikeouts over 13 innings, faced defeat in his last appearance. In that outing against the Twins on August 9, he pitched 5.2 innings, yielding three runs on five hits while striking out two. This game marks Cantillo’s first-ever start at Yankee Stadium and his inaugural matchup against the Yankees.
Yankees Seeking to Maintain AL East Lead
The Yankees missed a golden opportunity to secure their series against the Tigers after falling in extra innings on Sunday night. Currently, New York holds a 73-52 record, clinging to a half-game lead over the Orioles for the top position in the AL East. During their recent game, the Yankees managed six hits, with Giancarlo Stanton standing out as the only player with two hits. Marcus Stroman delivered six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out five but did not factor into the decision. Mark Leiter Jr. (3-5) took the loss, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits without recording an out.
Nestor Cortes is set to take the mound for the Yankees as they look to secure a series win. This will be Cortes’s 26th start of the season, with a record of 6-10 and a 4.20 ERA, along with a 1.189 WHIP across 141.1 innings. He earned a victory in his last outing against the White Sox, where he pitched seven innings, allowing no runs and striking out nine batters. Over his past three starts, Cortes holds a 2-1 record with a 4.76 ERA and 17 strikeouts. Facing the Guardians for the fourth time in his career, he has a 1-0 record against them with a solid 3.68 ERA in 22 innings pitched. At home, Cortes has been impressive, boasting a 15-7 record with a 3.20 ERA over 275.2 innings in 62 appearances at Yankee Stadium.
Betting Insights for Guardians vs. Yankees
The Guardians face challenges with their pitching staff, especially with Cobb sidelined, creating uncertainty as they prepare for a young pitcher against a powerful Yankees lineup. While Cortes has not been dominant, he has found a way to win two of his last three starts. The Yankees’ batting order remains one of the deepest in Major League Baseball, which could play a significant role in their performance. Cleveland’s bullpen may have the advantage in late-game situations, but the Yankees’ ability to score runs could lead them to victory in this matchup.
