Cleveland-
Cleveland entered their 5th Postseason appearance in the last seven seasons as they host Tampa Bay this weekend. The Guardians are the #3 seed in American League and are playing the #6 seed Rays. With changes made to the playoff format the Guardians find themselves in the Wild Card despite being AL Central division winners.
Friday’s Game One had a first pitch time of 12:07 and it was a chilly 52 degrees. That didn’t stop fans from filling Progressive Field. The Guardians had sent a tweet out asking fans to “Rock their Red” and they responded by creating a sea of red. Rally towels were waving as the Guardians’ starting lineup was announced. Paid attendance was 30,741.
Shane Bieber was on the hill for Cleveland. This marked the 2020 American League Cy Young winner’s second career Postseason appearance. Bieber pitched against the Yankees in the 2020 Wild Card game.
The 27-year-old pitched a gem on Friday. He gave up a solo shot to Rays centerfielder Jose Siri in the 6th. Cleveland’s offense answered back in the bottom of the 6th. The Guardians’ Jose had a two-run blast go over the center field wall.
Bieber stated after the game how “important it felt to have get that run back so quickly.”
Tampa Bay challenged that the lead runner (Amed Rosario) touched second base during Ramirez’s home run. After the review, the call on the field stood and the Rays lost one of their challenges. Each team receives two challenges during the postseason series.
When Rosario was asked postgame if he was concerned that he may have not touched 2nd base, he simply said no.
Bieber pitched 7.2 innings giving up three hits and one run while striking out eight. Emmanuel Clase came in for relief and went 1.1 innings giving no hits and striking out one.
The Guardians are one win away from sealing a date with the Yankees in the American League Division Series. Game Two is Saturday with first pitch at 12:07pm.
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