The Cleveland Guardians have revealed the lineup for their second game against the Kansas City Royals.
The Cleveland Guardians got off to a good start on Friday in the first game of three against the Kansas City Royals.
Cleveland was able to grab the win in what was a very odd game all around. But at this point in the season, a win is a win.
Now, heading into the second game of the series, Cleveland has a chance to clinch the American League Central division. If the Guardians were to take down the Royals again, combined with a Chicago White Sox loss to the Colorado Rockies, the division would be Cleveland's.
Both the Guardians and White Sox have clinched playoff spots already, and the runner-up of the division will be playing in the wild-card series next week. But the AL Central winner will have a first-round bye, giving them an extra few days of rest before the ALDS starts next weekend.
Chicago holds the tiebreaker over Cleveland in the standings, so if the two teams were to finish with the same record, the White Sox would get the bye. The difference between getting the bye and playing in the wild-card series is huge, and both teams are vying for this over the last two games.
But as the Guardians get ready for the second game against the Royals, all they can do is put their best foot forward. Cleveland is in the driver's seat right now, holding a 1.0-game lead over Chicago in the division entering Saturday's games.
The Guardians want to take care of business against the Royals, while allowing the White Sox game to play out as it will. Cleveland has battled all season long, and with the division potentially in their grasp, they can't let their foot off the gas now.
Guardians Reveal Lineup vs Royals
Ahead of the game, the Guardians released the lineup in what could be the AL Central clinching day. Here is how the order looks from manager Stephen Vogt:
Steven Kwan will hit leadoff, playing in center field. Behind him will be Jose Ramirez, playing at third base.
Chase DeLauter will play in right field, hitting third. Jo Adell will bat fourth, being the designated hitter today.
Travis Bazzana will be at second base, hitting fifth. Nathaniel Lowe will be sixth in the order today, playing at first base.
Angel Martinez will hit seventh, playing in left field. Patrick Bailey will be behind the plate, hitting eighth.
And rounding everything out will be Brayan Rocchio, playing at shortstop.
