Guardians Face Dodgers in Crucial Weekend Showdown at Dodger Stadium
As the Cleveland Guardians gear up for a pivotal three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, all eyes will be on Dodger Stadium this weekend. Starting Friday, the Guardians (80-60) will take on the Dodgers (84-56) in what promises to be a thrilling clash of playoff contenders. With both teams performing exceptionally well, this series is set to be a key battleground for postseason positioning.
The series opens with a night game on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Guardians will send left-hander Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38 ERA) to the mound, facing the Dodgers' right-hander Landon Knack (2-2, 3.00 ERA). Boyd has been a solid addition to the Guardians’ rotation, allowing no more than three runs in any of his starts since joining the team. Meanwhile, Knack has had a mixed season but has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in his most recent start.
On Saturday, the matchup features right-hander Alex Cobb (2-1, 2.76 ERA) for Cleveland against the Dodgers’ Gavin Stone (11-5, 3.53 ERA). Cobb, who recently returned from a split fingernail injury, dazzled in his last outing with six perfect innings. Stone, on the other hand, has been a strikeout machine, recording 18 strikeouts in his last 16 2/3 innings.
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The series concludes on Sunday with right-hander Gavin Williams (3-7, 4.55 ERA) from the Guardians going up against Dodgers’ ace Jack Flaherty (11-6, 3.01 ERA). Flaherty, a key piece of the Dodgers' rotation, has been instrumental in their strong performance this season, while Williams will need to step up to provide a much-needed boost for the Guardians.
The Dodgers hold a slight historical edge over the Guardians with a 10-8 record in their all-time series, having won two of three games in Cleveland last year. However, the Guardians are currently in a strong position, with José RamÃrez making headlines as he chases a historic 40/40 season. RamÃrez has already hit 34 home runs and stolen 34 bases, and his performance will be crucial for Cleveland’s success in this series. Andrés Giménez and Josh Naylor also bring offensive firepower, with Naylor riding a six-game hitting streak.
For the Dodgers, the spotlight will be on their trio of MVP candidates: Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Ohtani, in particular, is making a bid for the first-ever 50/50 season in MLB history, with 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases. Betts and Freeman are also in excellent form, with Freeman batting .346 over his last seven games.
The series is not without its challenges, as both teams are dealing with significant injuries. The Dodgers are missing several key players, including Clayton Kershaw and Brusdar Graterol. Similarly, the Guardians are without Carlos Carrasco, Shane Bieber, and Trevor Stephan, among others.
As the Guardians and Dodgers face off, fans can catch all the action on Bally Sports Great Lakes and listen to the Guardians' radio network. With high stakes and star power on display, this series is sure to be a highlight of the MLB season.
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