CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:
JOSÉ LAUNCHES TWO HOMERS, GUARDS TAKE SERIES
The Cleveland Guardians capped a 6-game homestand with an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals in a Wednesday afternoon rubber match at Progressive Field…took 2 of 3 from both Philadelphia & Kansas City on the homestand, as the Guardians have won 3 consecutive series for first time since ending the 2022 regular season with 5 straight series wins…Cleveland has gone 11-5-1 over last 17 series (30-23 record since May 26). » JOSÉ RAMÍREZ paced the Guardians offense with his 22nd career multi-homer game – second this season (June 8 vs. BOS) – drilling a 2-run blast (15) off Alec Marsh in the 1st inning to plate ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ (one-out walk) ahead of a solo shot (16) off Jonathan Heasley to lead off the 4th, which gave way to a 3-run rally that pushed Cleveland’s advantage to 7-0 after DAVID FRY’s 2-run homer (4)…Ramírez reached base safely 4 times in the contest, adding a walk and a single, and scored 3 runs…STEVEN KWAN drove in a pair of runs with a 2nd-inning RBI-single and a bases-loaded walk in the 3rd…GAVIN WILLIAMS labored through 4.0 innings (4.0IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 5SO, 87 pitches), but managed to hold the Royals scoreless before turning the contest over to a quintet of Cleveland relievers.
Cleveland (51-51) sits in 2nd place in the AL Central standings, 2.0 games behind 2nd-place Minnesota (54-50) and 4.5 games ahead of 3rd-place Detroit (-6.5G, 46-55)…club entered the AllStar break in 1st place for just the fourth time across Terry Francona’s tenure (2013-23), as Cleveland also did so in 3 consecutive campaigns from 2016-18…Guardians have won 6 of 9, 19 of 32, 26 of 45 and 29 of last 51, though have also dropped 45 of last 87 overall since starting year 9-6…club is set to embark on a 7-game road trip thru Chicago-AL (4G) & Houston (3G).
TALKIN’ BOUT CHI TOWN
The Guardians open up this 7-game road trip with a 4-game series against the Chicago White Sox, the third of four series against their divisional opponent and second on the road…Cleveland has dropped 4 of its 6 matchups against Chicago-AL this season…the two clubs last faced off from May 22-24 at Progressive Field…the Guards shutout the Sox 3-0 in the opening contest before, Chicago -ALtook the next two contests 4-2 and 6-0…the Clevelanders dropped 2 of 3 in their first trip to Guaranteed Rate Field earlier this season from May 16-18.
During the Terry Francona era (since 2013), the Guards are 113-74 against Chicago-AL, the most wins of any team against the White Sox during that span…since 2013, the Guardians are 54-40 against Chicago-AL at Guaranteed Rate Field, the most victories of any club at the ballpark during that stretch…Cleveland is 1,113- 1,119 all-time against the White Sox.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED, OR YOUR MONEY BACK
In 16 career games at Guaranteed Rate Field, JOSH NAYLOR has 4 home runs,16 RBI and a 1.030 OPS…he has hit safely in 13 of those 16 games, including 7 multi-hit efforts, and currently owns a 5-game hit streak at the park…his .477 (17-for-38) average at Guaranteed Rate Field since the start of 2022 is the highest of any
AL Central player.
STEVEN KWAN is hitting .377 (20-for-53) with 2 home runs and 10 RBI with a 1.009 OPS in 12 games at Guaranteed Rate Field… he’s hit safely in 10 of those 12 games, including three 3-hit games and one 4-hit effort…he’s struck out in just 2 of his 53 at-bats at the park and his 29.50 PA/SO since the start of 2022 leads MLB.
Since the start of 2022, ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ is hitting .333 (16- for-48) with 2 home runs and 7 RBI a t Guaranteed Rate Field…he has hit safely in 10 of 12 games at the park, including 6 multi-hit games…WILL BRENNAN is hitting .350 (7-for-20) at the park and has hit safely in all 5 games he’s played here, including in his Major League Debut on September 21, 2022.
TITO TERRIFIC
With his next victory, Terry Francona (1,925) will tie Hall-of- Famer Casey Stengel (1,926) for 13th-most wins by a manager in MLB History…Francona currently has the third-most wins by an active MLB manager behind Bruce Bochy (2,063) and Dusty Baker (2,151)…Tito went 285-363 (.440) in 4 seasons with Philadelphia from (1997-2000)…during his 8 seasons with Boston (2004-2011) he went 744-552 (.574) and won the World Series in 2004 and 2007…through his 11 seasons with Cleveland, he is currently 896- 722 (.544), leading the Guardians to four AL Central Titles (2016- 18, 2022) and the American League Pennant in 2016…Francona won AL Manager of the Year in 2013, 2016 and 2022.
THE CITY OF ROCK ‘N ROLL PLAYING THE HITS
Since June 1, Cleveland has out-hit their opponents in 33 games, 5 more than any other MLB team (Texas and Boston, 28)…the Guardians 23 wins in those 33 games are 2nd-most in MLB behind Boston (24)…however, Cleveland’s 10 losses when out-hitting their opponents since June 1 are more than any other MLB team, ahead of Texas (9).
The Guardians lead MLB with 26 double-digit hit games in 49 games since May 30, ahead of Boston and Texas (24)…in Cleveland’s 53 games before May 30, the club had just 10 double-digit hit games…the club’s 485 hits since May 30 are 2nd-most in MLB during the stretch, behind Texas (490)…the Guards also have an MLB-high .279 batting average since May 30, ahead of Atlanta (.278)…Cleveland is also the only team with 3 players ranking in the top-15 in hits since May 30…JOSH NAYLOR (67) is 2nd, behind MIA’s Luis Arraez (73)…JOSÉ RAMÍREZ (61, T5th) and STEVEN KWAN (57, T15th) round out the three in the top 15.
ROSTER MOVES AND TRANSACTIONS
The Cleveland Guardians acquired RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Amed Rosario Wednesday evening. » Syndergaard, 30, owns a career Major League record of 58- 45 with a 3.65 ERA in 158 games/156 starts with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers since debuting in 2015…he was a National League AllStar with the Mets in 2016, posting a 14-9 mark with a 2.60 ERA (53ER/183.2IP) in 30 starts…split the 2022 season between Los Angeles (AL) and Philadelphia, posting a 10-10 record with a 3.94 ERA (59ER/134.2IP) in 25 games/24 starts…owned a combined ERA of 3.24 (3ER/8.1IP) in the Postseason for the NL Champion Phillies to complement his career Postseason ERA of 2.62 (10ER/34.1IP)…was a first-round selection (38th overall) by Toronto in the 2010 MLB Draft and was traded to the Mets in December 2012…has not pitched since June 7 after being placed on the 15-day injured list (blister, R index finger)…recently made two starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the last of which came on July 21
In his time with Cleveland, Rosario hit .278 with 25 home runs and 168 RBI across 388 games since 2021…his 21 triples during that span is T1st in MLB with LAA’s Shohei Ohtani.
OSCAR GONZALEZ has been recalled from Triple-A Columbus… in 65 games at Triple-A Columbus, he hit .285 (74-for-260) with 11 home runs and led the International League in RBI during from May 6 to July 26.
TONIGHT’S STARTER – #61 TANNER BIBEE RHP
BIBEE ON THE ROAD
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 2-1 4.38 7 7 37.0 40 18 18 13 38
Career 2-1 4.38 7 7 37.0 40 18 18 13 38
BIBEE’S MLB CAREER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 6-2 3.04 15 15 83.0 70 30 28 29 85
Career 6-2 3.04 15 15 83.0 70 30 28 29 85
TONIGHT’S START
The 24-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make his 16th career start, eighth on the road, in the opening contest of this 4-game set with the Chicago White Sox…marks his fourth start against the AL Central and first career outing against the White Sox…is 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA (8ER/13.2IP) with 9 walks and 12 strikeouts against the division…Bibee was originally selected by Cleveland in the 5th Round (156th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Cal State Fullerton…entered the 2023 season as Cleveland’s #5 prospect according to MLB.com…he is starting on 4 days’ rest; is 1-0 with a 4.20 ERA (7ER/15.0IP) on 4 days’ rest.
LAST TIME OUT
In his last start, Bibee faced the Phillies in his 8th career Interleague start, the most Interleague starts of any MLB pitcher within their first 15 career starts…he earned his sixth victory of the season and won his fourth straight decision by throwing 7.0 scoreless innings with 2 hits, a walk and 8 strikeouts… retired 8 of the 11 hitters he faced in the first 3 innings, the lone blemishes coming from a Trea Turner single in the 1st, a J.T. Realmuto hit by pitch in the 2nd and an Edmundo Sosa walk in the 3rd…Bibee then retired 12 of the final 13 hitters he faced, including 5 of 8 by strikeout, with the lone blemish coming from a Sosa double…per Elias, Bibee (6-2, 15GS) is the 7th pitcher to win 6 of their first 8 career decisions as a starter with Cleveland, last done by SHANE BIEBER (6-2, 10GS) in 2018 and CC Sabathia (6-2, 10GS) in 2001.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Bibee ranks among MLB rookie starting pitchers (min. 60.0IP) in HR/9 (0.8, 1st), win percentage (.750, T1st), ERA (3.04, 3rd), WHIP (1.19, 3rd), batting average (.225, 4th) and SO/9 (9.2, 5th).
On April 26, after striking out 5 straight in the 2nd and 3rd innings, he became the first Cleveland pitcher since at least 1920 to strike out 5 straight hitters in their MLB debut…Bibee became the 2nd Cleveland pitcher with an 8+ strikeout, zero walk debut, last done by Floyd Weaver (W, 5.0IP, 3H, 1R/ER, 0BB, 8SO) on September 30, 1962 vs. Los Angeles-AL in G2 of a doubleheader.
Bibee has thrown 7+ strikeouts and allowed 3-or-fewer hits in 5 of his first 15 career games, more than any pitcher in club history and tied with 5 others for 2nd-most such outings in MLB history within a pitcher’s first 15 career games…also has 6+ strikeouts in 9 of his 15 career starts, tied with Danny Salazar and SHANE BIEBER for 2nd-most in club history, trailing Herb Score (12).
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Bibee is holding hitters to a .197 average (24-for-122) with 38 of his 85 strikeouts coming the first time through an opposing team’s lineup…opposing clubs are hitting .231 (28-for-103) when facing the rookie a second time through the order…over his last 4 starts, opposing clubs are a combined 4-for-31 (.129) the second time through the lineup…opposing hitters are hitting .265 (18-for-68) against Bibee the third time through the order.
I HAVE JUST THE RIGHT GUY
In his last 5 starts, Bibee is holding right-handed hitters to a slash line of .127/.250/.200 with 22 strikeouts…since June 24, his .127 (7-for-55) opposing batting average against right-handed hitters ranks 4th in MLB, while his .182 opposing SLG is 6thlowest in MLB (min. 50 BFP)…conversely, he’s holding lefties to a .200/.259/.220 slash line during this stretch.
In his last 5 starts overall, opposing hitters have posted a .162/.254/.210 slash line…since June 24, he ranks among MLB pitchers (min. 30.0IP) in SLG (.210, 1st), AVG (.162, 2nd), ERA (1.21, 2nd), OPS (.464, 2nd) and H/9 (5.16, 2nd).
CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost five straight games, seven of the last eight, 13 of 17 and 27 of 40 as they continue a six-game homestand tonight with the series opener vs. Cleveland.
RHP Dylan Cease, who has allowed two earned runs or less in seven of his last nine outings, is scheduled to start for the Sox.
Tomorrow’s contest will be nationally streamed exclusively on Apple TV+ with Alex Faust and Ryan Spilborghs in the booth.
The White Sox opened the homestand losing two games to the Cubs, including blowing a five-run lead in last night’s10-7 loss.
The White Sox are in fourth place in the American League Central, 12.5 games behind the division-leading Twins (54-50).
Following this four-game series vs. the Guardians and an off day Monday, the White Sox will take a six-game trip to Texas (8/1-3) and Cleveland (8/4-6).
Chicago went 3-6 on their last trip from 7/14-23 at Atlanta, New York-NL and Minnesota and 1-5 on their last homestand prior to the All-Star break from 7/4-9 vs. Toronto (0-3) and St. Louis (1-2).
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are 21 games below the .500 mark for the first time since 9/17/19 (65-86) … they have lost five straight games for the first time since a 10-game skid from 4/19-29.
The Sox are looking to win three consecutive games vs. Cleveland for the first time since 4/3-5/7/19 (also three).
Dylan Cease is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (17 ER/51.0 IP), .225 (43- 191) average and 70 strikeouts (12.35 per 9.0 IP) over his last nine starts since 6/3 … he has received a no decision in nine of his last 10 outings since 5/28 at Detroit (Chicago is 5-5).
Tim Anderson is 17-45 (.378) with two doubles, five RBI, four walks and seven multi-hit efforts in 11 second-half games … he has raised his average from .223 to .245 since the break.
Andrew Benintendi is hitting .320/.372/.416 (40-125) with nine doubles, a homer, 12 RBI, 11 walks, 18 runs and 12 multihit efforts in 30 games since moving to the leadoff spot on 6/17… he ranks seventh in the American League in average since 6/17.
Eloy Jiménez owns five multhit efforts in his last six games, going 11-24 (.458) with three doubles, a homer and six RBI.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE
Chicago recalled LHP Sammy Peralta from Class AAA Charlotte.
Peralta is 3-5 with a 5.34 ERA (35 ER/59.0 IP) and 60 strikeouts in 25 appearances (six starts) with Charlotte … he is limiting lefthanders to a .195/.298/.341 (16-82) slash line with the Knights.
He made his MLB debut with the Sox on 5/4 vs. Minnesota.
LET’S MAKE A DEAL
The Sox last night acquired minor-league LHP Ky Bush and switch-hitting C Edgar Quero (“CARE-oh”) from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHPs Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López.
Quero is rated by MLB.com as the No. 2 prospect in the Angels system and No. 65 overall in baseball … Bush is rated No. 3.
Quero was selected to the 2023 All-Star Futures Game, and Bush was named to the 2022 Futures Game.
Giolito and López were acquired with RHP Dane Dunning from Washington in exchange for OF Adam Eaton on 12/7/16.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
The Cubs overcame a five-run deficit by scoring eight unanswered runs over the final five innings in their 10-7 win.
The White Sox built a 7-2 lead after four on two runs in the first, one in the second and four in the fourth, including a solo home run by Jake Burger and a two-run double by Eloy Jiménez.
The Cubs answered with six runs in the fifth after Sox pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly combined to surrender three hits, four walks, and a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch on a strike out.
Lynn received a ND after allowing seven runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 4.2 IP.
Jiménez drove in a season-high four runs, and Tim Anderson went 2-4 with two runs scored and a RBI and walk.
CEASE AND DESTROY
Dylan Cease has gone 14-9 with a 2.65 ERA (74 ER/251.0 IP), .202 opponents average and 294 strikeouts (10.54 per 9.0 IP) over his last 44 starts (23 QS) dating back to 5/29/22.
His 2.65 ERA is the fourth-lowest in MLB during that span, trailing the Mets’ Justin Verlander (2.31), the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw (2.49) and the Cubs’ Justin Steele (2.64).
Since the start of the 2022 season, Cease has allowed one or zero earned runs 32 times, the most in MLB (Justin Verlander ranks second with 28) … he set a MLB record with 14 straight starts allowing one earned run or less from 5/29-8/11/22.
Cease set a club record with eight straight NDs from 5/28-7/7/23.
WHITE SOX VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Chicago has won four of six games … the two clubs play seven times over a 14-day span from 7/27-8/6.
The White Sox are hitting .251/.290/.409 with seven homers, own a 1.87 ERA (11 ER/53.0 IP) and a 26-13 edge in runs scored.
The Sox are 10-12 and have been outscored by a 104-100 margin at home since the start of the 2021 season … 15 of the 22 games have been decided by three runs or less.
Chicago is 21-23 since the start of 2021, including 30 contests decided by three runs or less (13-17 record).
GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY
Dylan Cease is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA (6 ER/30.0 IP), .232 (26-112) average, 22 strikeouts and just two home runs allowed over his last five starts vs. Cleveland.
He has allowed two earned runs or less four times and one earned run or less three times during the five-start span.
Cease has limited All-Star José Ramírez to a .238/.238/.333 (5-21) career slash line with zero homers and RBI.
CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
The White Sox are playing an American League Central division opponent at home for the first time since 6/2-4 vs. Detroit.
Chicago is 15-14 vs. the AL Central, including a 10-2 mark at Guaranteed Rate Field … the White Sox have won six straight vs. the division with a 23-6 edge in runs scored.
The White Sox went 37-39 in 2022 and 69-47 from 2020-21.
STARTING PITCHER – #84 DYLAN CEASE RHP
CEASE AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 22nd start of the season, 11th at home and third against the Cleveland Guardians.
Ranks among American League leaders this season in starts (T3rd, 21), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (4th, 10.93) and strikeouts (8th, 138).
Has allowed one run or less while tossing 5.0-plus IP in 28 starts since 2022 … the 29 starts are the most in baseball ahead of the Mets’ Justin Verlander, Dodgers’
Julio Urías and Padres’ Blake Snell (24).
Is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA (26 ER/73.1 IP), .223 (61-274) opponents average and 89 strikeouts in his last 13 starts … has allowed three runs or less in 11 of the starts.
According to Elias, he is the fastest White Sox pitcher to reach 700 career strikeouts (583.0 IP).
Is tied for second in MLB since 2021 in starts (85), ranks fourth in SO/9.0 IP (11.48) and tied for fourth in strikeouts (591).
Was the 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner-up and has been named American League Pitcher of the month twice in his career (June and July 2022).
LAST START
Received a no decision, his ninth in his last 10 starts, on 7/22 at Minnesota … allowed one run on three hits with two walks and nine strikeouts over 6.0 IP … surrendered an RBI double to Carlos Correa in the third inning … retired 11 of the last 12 batters faced.
Departed the game in the seventh with the White Sox leading, 2-1 … threw 96 pitches (60 strikes) … the Twins scored twice in the seventh as the Sox lost, 3-2.
Owned a 68.2 first-strike percentage and 12.5 swinging-strike percentage (14 swing and misses) vs. 22 batters … threw 52 four-seam fastballs (95.4 mph avg; 97.4 mph max), 24 sliders (87.0 avg; 90.2 max), 18 knuckle curveballs (81.3 avg; 84.3 max) and two changeups (71.3 avg; 71.8 max).
HE GONE!
Is on pace to record 217 strikeouts this season … it would mark his third straight 200-plus strikeout season, joining Chris Sale (2013-16) and Ed Walsh (1910-12) as
the only White Sox pitchers to accomplish the feat.
Has recorded 295 swing and misses this season, the eighth-most in the majors … recorded a season-high 24 swing and misses on 6/20 vs. Texas.
VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his 12th career start against Cleveland and fifth at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Has gone 4-2 with a 2.21 ERA (10 ER/40.2 IP), .245 (38-155) opponents average and 34 strikeouts over his last seven starts against the Guardians.
Is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA (23 ER/42.2 IP), .224 (36-161) opponents average in eight starts vs. the American League Central this season.
