2024-08-22 05:05:02
The Yankees are back in the Bronx as they continue a crucial three-game series versus the Guardians on Wednesday.
In the series opener, the Yankees’ let an early 2-0 lead thanks to back-to-back solo home runs from Juan Soto and Aaron Judge slip away as they surrendered six-runs in the top of the 12th in a sloppy 9-5 extra innings lost to Cleveland.
It went from bad to worse when Luis Gil — who’s easily been the team’s most consistent pitcher all season — was removed from the game with lower back tightness in the fourth inning.
It was revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the 26-year-old is officially headed to the 15-day IL with a lower back strain.
Injury update:Yankees place Luis Gil on injured list with back strain following recent struggles
This comes after the Yankees had a so-so road trip last week, going 3-3 against the AL Central basement dwelling Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.
This included Clay Holmes allowing his MLB-leading 10th blown save in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings to the Tigers in the annual Little League World Series Classic in Williamsport, Pa. on Sunday night.
The second half hasn’t been kind to the Guardians, currently one-game under .500 (14-15) post All-Star Break and have been swept twice since the beginning of August, including this past weekend in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
In their only previous meeting this season, the Yankees took two out of three games in Cleveland all the way back in early April. There were multiple close, head-to-head contests, with both teams winning a one-run affair at Progressive Field at the beginning of the season.
With the series underway in the Bronx, here are the pitching matchups for the Yankees and Guardians:
Yankees vs Guardians pitching matchups
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., YES: RHP Luis Gil (12-6, 3.25 ERA) vs. Matthew Boyd (0-0, 1.69 ERA)
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m., Prime Video: Nestor Cortes (6-10, 4.20 ERA) vs. Joey Cantillo (0-2, 6.23 ERA)
Thursday, 1:05 p.m.., YES: Gerrit Cole (4-2, 4.15 ERA) vs. Gavin Williams (2-5, 5.02 ERA)
Yankees’ Nestor Cortes vs. Joey Cantillo
In what’s been a disappointing season for Cortes, he easily had his second best start of the season, tying a season-high with nine strikeouts and no runs allowed in seven innings to earn his sixth victory of the year in a 4-1 win over the White Sox on Aug. 13. It’s only the seventh time this season “Nasty Nestor” has pitched into the seventh inning and first since June 23. Prior to the victory, it was a brutal stretch for Cortes who conceded three or more runs in five consecutive outings dating back to before the All-Star Break.
Cortes did pitch in the first meeting between these two American League powerhouses as he allowed four runs on five hits in four innings and tagged with a no-decision in the Yankees’ 8-7 defeat on Apr. 14.
On the mound for the Guardians will be Cantillo. The 24-year-old Honolulu, Hawaii native made his MLB debut on July 28 against the Phillies. In three appearances, he’s given up nine runs on 15 hits with four home runs allowed in 13 innings of work. Cantillo’s given up exactly three earned runs in each start, with his most recent going a career-high 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on Aug. 9.
Yankees’ Gerrit Cole vs. Guardians’ Gavin Williams
Gerrit Cole will take the mound in the series finale. The Yankees’ ace has pitched better and better since returning from an elbow injury he suffered in spring training that kept him out until mid-June. The reigning, unanimous Cy Young Award winner earned his fourth victory over the year as he threw six shutout innings and struck out eight in a 3-0 victory over the Tigers on Aug. 16. It was the first time Cole had not allowed a run in 10 starts in 2024.
Cole has enjoyed much success against the Guardians so far in his career, posting a 6-2 record with a 3.07 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 10 head-to-head matchups across his 12-year career.
Similar to Cole, Williams is also working his way back after suffering an elbow injury in spring training that landed him on the 60-day IL until early July. After a string of quality starts, the 25-year-old has struggled so far in August, posting a 7.71 ERA in 14 innings pitched and losing two of three starts. Williams has yet to face the Yankees’ early on in his young career being only his second season in the majors.
Albeit a small sample size, Williams has pitched much better on the road than at home in 2024. He’s 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in five outings away from Progressive Field, while he sports a whopping 8.66 ERA and has lost all four of his home starts with opponents hitting .351 in 17 2/3 innings pitched in front of the Cleveland faithful this season.
