Pressure is on the Cleveland Guardians in ALDS Game 2

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 07: Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch in the first inning against the the Tampa Bay Rays during game one of the Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on October 07, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

Will mistakes cost either team?

Quantrill’s walks cost the Guardians on Tuesday night in the opener. Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s error and Josh Donaldson’s base-running mishaps nearly cost the Yankees as well. These are two teams that play fundamentally sound baseball, pitch well, and play great defense. The different styles they play on offense both put pressure on the opposing team, though in different ways. Giving additional outs or extra baserunners could be the difference as two of the top pitchers in the American League square off in Game 2.

How the Guardians’ young roster responds to the pressure of being down in the series and on the road in one of the toughest environments in sports remains to be seen. Manager Terry Francona has been through this type of series before, and will have Cleveland as ready as they can be for a crucial Game 2 before they head back home for Game 3.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News