Just when you thought the Cleveland Guardians had their starting pitcher issues under control, they are once again desperately trying to put together a five-man rotation.
First, the Guardians delayed Alex Cobb’s start on Saturday due to a blister on his finger, moving up Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, both of whom started against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After Cleveland’s final game on the West Coast, Stephen Vogt announced that the team would also postpone Blake Lively’s start on Monday. Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo will now start in the first game of the series against the Chicago White Sox.
It is not yet known when Lively will be launched next.
Cantillo has bounced between the minors and majors this season, providing the Guardians with a spot start when needed. He has pitched in five games at the major league level and has a 7.71 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 18.2 innings pitched.
The 24-year-old certainly had a difficult start to his major league career. That could be due in part to the opponents he faced. Cantillo started against the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals, all of whom are currently in the playoffs.
Cantillo will get a change of pace when he starts against the White Sox on Monday. Chicago has had a historically bad season so far this year, losing eight of its last 10 games.
Maybe this is an opportunity for Cantillo to put in a solid performance without having to face one of baseball’s best teams.
The Guardians and White Sox begin their series on Monday night at 7:40 p.m. EST.
