Field Level Media
23 Sep 2022, 16:25 GMT+10
Not looking ahead is a message the Cleveland Guardians are giving as they open a weekend series against the Texas Rangers on Friday in Arlington, Texas.
Though the Guardians are in superb shape to win the American League Central, manager Terry Francona is taking it day-by-day.
"I don't even come close to thinking like that," Francona said in a pregame radio interview when asked about being close to clinching. "I think our guys (just) play."
Cleveland (83-67) can move closer toward locking up the division with a successful series against Texas (65-84).
After sweeping a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, the Guardians are seven games up in the Central with 12 to play.
Having a cushion in the standings, Francona is mindful of resting some key players against the Rangers.
"We'll try to elevate some of that, who needs rest, by coming to the ballpark later," Francona said.
Already, Francona is leaning toward giving left-handed-hitting Josh Naylor Sunday off because the Rangers are scheduled to start lefty Cole Ragan. With a scheduled off day on Monday, that would give Naylor two straight days off. The same is being considered for infielder Andres Gimenez.
"We're thinking about things, but we have to play still," Francona said.
Guardians right-hander Cody Morris (0-2, 2.30 ERA) and Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (7-7, 3.80) are the scheduled starters for the Friday series opener.
The Rangers enter the set having won two of three against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Corey Seager belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning on Thursday, lifting Texas to a 5-3 win.
Morris, 25, is a September call-up making his fifth big league start. It will be his first appearance against the Rangers.
A seventh-round pick by Cleveland in 2018, Morris was impressive in his latest start. Although he was charged with the loss on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, he gave up just one run on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in six innings.
Morris missed time earlier in the season due to a right shoulder strain.
Gray has faced the Guardians once in his career, earlier this year. On June 7 at Cleveland, the 30-year-old gave up five runs in five innings in a loss.
The Rangers have been building up Gray slowly since he was reinstated from the injured list on Sept. 12 after missing about six weeks with a left oblique strain.
In two September starts, Gray is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA, having given up a total of three runs in eight innings during road games against the Miami Marlins (Sept. 12) and the Tampa Bay Rays (Saturday).
As the Rangers prepare for the remainder of their schedule, they added some catching depth, signing veteran Kevin Plawecki on Wednesday.
Interim manager Tony Beasley said Plawecki isn't expected to get too much playing time, but he does provide flexibility if Jonah Heim and Sam Huff are used.
Heim, 27, has appeared in 118 games after playing in 82 a year ago. Huff, 24, has played in 37 games. Both are threats at the plate.
"He frees us up to do some things with Huff and Heim, as far as giving Heim more rest at this point," Beasley said during his pregame radio show. "We can get both bats in the lineup, if we need to as well. So it gives us flexibility in our lineup as far as giving Heim days off behind the plate."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of San Antonio Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Antonio Post.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant ruling last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for users...
(Photo credit: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News / USA TODAY NETWORK) Four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley has committed to Notre...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) Former NFL linebacker Bryan Braman is 'in the fight of his life,' battling a rare and aggressive...
(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images) Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who has been suffering from an undisclosed medical condition,...
(Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images) Dan Wilson and Ken Griffey Jr. were teammates when the latter hit a franchise-record...
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) The list of players who have compiled 2,000 career hits and 350 career homers during...
MADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...