Joey Cantillo knows what he must do to get back on track for the Cleveland Guardians.
The Cleveland Guardians have always operated on a minuscule margin for error, and the area where the team can’t afford to slip up is with its starting rotation.
Unfortunately for Guardians pitcher Joey Cantillo, he hasn’t been as sharp or consistent over the last month as he was earlier in the season.
That all came to a head on Monday afternoon during Cleveland’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
Stephen Vogt turned the game over to his bullpen in the third inning as Cantillo struggled to find the zone. He threw a total of 72 pitches, but 51 percent of them were outside the zone, which resulted in five free-base runners for the Orioles.
Cantillo is more than aware of what his problem on the mound has been as of late.
“I haven't been challenging guys in the strike zone with any of my pitches consistently, and that's basically what I got to do. That's what I do when I'm at my best,” said Cantillo on Sunday.
“It's pretty simple: Throw the ball over the plate and challenge guys in the strike zone, and then you'll be in situations where you don't have to be as fine. But I have to get ahead of guys. I just haven't done that at all.”
Sep 7, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) prepares to be pulled by manager Stephen Vogt (12) in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn ImagesAs Cantillo looks at how he can improve and get better, he said it’s all about rein it back in.
“I think I just got to do a better job of rein it back in here. I think the last few weeks some of the things that make me really, really good, and I got to recognize that,” said the pitcher.
“We have a good support staff of coaches, and players and catchers that can help me do that. So, just got to recognize that and make the adjustments; that's part of it.”
Cantillo understands the issue and what needs to change to get back on track, but the question is whether that will eventually come to fruition; there’s not much time in the season to make major adjustments.
If Cantillo can’t overcome these struggles, the Guardians might need to look elsewhere to get the most out of his spot in the rotation over the last few weeks.
