Chase DeLauter set to make MLB debut for Guardians in must-win Game 2 against Tigers 

Yesterday, the Cleveland Guardians offense wasn’t able to generate much offense in its 2-1 loss to the Tigers in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. 

Now they’re going to be turning to a star rookie to try to turn things around in today’s must-win game, as Chase DeLauter is going to bat seventh and play center field for the Guardians. He’ll become the sixth player in MLB history to make his major league debut in the postseason. 

While DeLauter's inclusion on the Guardians’ postseason roster was a bit of a surprise, this is the perfect spot for them to use him against right-handed starter Casey Mize. 

DeLauter currently ranks as Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has light tower power and can hold his own in the outfield. That said, he’s struggled with injuries throughout his career, which is the main reason why he hasn’t made his major league debut yet. 

Now the Guardians are going to be leaning on him in a must-win game. 

Chase DeLauter set to make historic debut for the Guardians

“When we looked to add a bat, Chase was healthy and he's the best bat we have available to us,” manager Stephen Vogt said yesterday, per MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins. “We thought it would be a good idea to get him on the roster.”

DeLauter’s not the only left-hander in the Guardians’ lineup either. George Valera is starting in right field (he pinch-hit against Will Vest yesterday), Kyle Manzardo is at designated hitter for the second straight day, Bo Naylor is behind the plate and CJ Kayfus is at first base. 

Yesterday the Guardians tried to get a platoon advantage against Tarik Skubal by starting Jhonkensy Noel and Johnathan Rodríguez, and they responded by going 0-for-6 at the plate with two big errors in the field. 

Things should be different today, both because Mize is on the mound and the options in the Guardians’ lineup today are better. And, honestly, it’s not like they could do any worse — The Guardians only hit four balls out of the infield on Tuesday. 

On the other side, the Tigers didn’t change much of their lineup against Tanner Bibee. It’s worth noting the Tigers only got five hits against Guardians pitching yesterday, it just seems like they had more since they ended up coming out on top. 

Kerry Carpenter’s back in the lineup against the right-handed Bibee, while Riley Greene is there as well; his double on Tuesday was the game’s lone extra-base hit. Javier Báez is batting No. 9 in Detroit’s lineup after picking up a multi-hit game Tuesday. 

After flying through the final month of the season, the Guardians’ season is on life support after Tuesday’s flat showing. Now it’s time for DeLauter and Co. to bring them back from the dead.