After splitting the first two games of their series, the Cleveland Guardians and visiting Toronto Blue Jays are carrying good vibrations into the finale on Thursday afternoon.
Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (4-7, 3.86 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (5-6, 4.60) to conclude what has been an entertaining battle between American League postseason contenders.
Cleveland evened the series on Wednesday after six-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez singled off Mason Fluharty with no outs in the 10th inning to score Angel Martinez in a 5-4 victory.
Lane Thomas had pulled the Guardians even with a solo homer in the sixth, setting the stage for their fifth win in six extra-inning contests this season.
“I mean, that’s baseball for you,” Ramirez said through an interpreter. “We always try to be competing and doing the best that we can. Today we got the fortune that it went our way. But we always go in with the same mindset. Luckily this time, we got that result.”
The come-from-behind triumph marked Cleveland’s first one-run win at home since May 1, which preceded a slump that has seen the Guardians go 22-25 to fall 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
Ramirez has been consistent, as always, with a .355 average, eight homers and 23 RBIs in his last 44 contests, while oft-injured center fielder Thomas appears to finally be coming to life.
Thomas has homered in three consecutive home games, marking the first time the Guardians have done that since current Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Josh Naylor from May 12-14, 2023.
“This game is hard enough when you’re completely healthy, so having some downtime twice already and trying to work through some things hasn’t been easy,” Thomas said. “But I think I’m in a good spot and moving in the right direction, so I feel good about it.”
Bibee has been dominant in three career starts against Toronto, going 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
Gausman is 4-5 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 appearances against Cleveland, including a sparkling 1.63 ERA and 3-1 record in four road outings.
The Blue Jays are 26-17 since May 8, moving into the second wild-card spot in the AL.
Toronto received a huge psychological boost Wednesday when future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer returned from a right thumb injury that had sidelined him since March 29. He allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.
“From a physical standpoint, it went great,” said Scherzer, who has worked only 51 1/3 innings over the past two seasons. “From an execution standpoint, a little rusty. I pitched good, I didn’t pitch great, but that gives me something to work on for the next time.”
Also trending upward is four-time All-Star outfielder George Springer, who hit a grand slam Tuesday in Toronto’s 10-6 win and had two hits, two RBIs and a stolen base Wednesday.
Manager John Schneider gave Springer his 32nd start at designated hitter, which he believes has helped him bounce back from a career-low .220 average in 2024. Springer is hitting .260 this season.
“This dude has put in so many innings, he’s earned his chance to get off his feet a little bit,” Schneider said. “His at-bats have been awesome lately.”