Former Guardians starter just became even more important to upstart Rangers 

On Saturday, former Guardians starter Cal Quantrill allowed two runs in five innings in the Texas Rangers’ 3-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers. 

While those stats don’t jump off the page, the fact Cecconi stated for the Rangers (and was able to give them five innings) was enough to chalk the appearance up as a win for the pitching-starved Rangers. 

Former Guardian Cal Quantrill may save the Rangers' rotation

Last week the Guardians got a first-hand look at the Rangers’ pitching problems when Texas signed veteran starter Chris Paddack for a bulk appearance in Monday’s series opener between the two clubs. A day later, Paddack was designated for assignment, thus continuing the Rangers’ pitching cycle. 

But, instead of continuing to rely on veteran arms as hired guns, the Rangers decided to give more of an opportunity to Quantrill, who had been working as the longman out of Texas’ bullpen. 

Even if Quantrill's had a bit of an up-and-down career as a starter (a sentiment Guardians fans are no stranger to), he’s a better option than the other players the Rangers had been cycling between. 

His start against the Rangers was a stereotypical Quantrill outing. He ate some innings, but only generated three whiffs and had to pitch from behind for the entire day after he allowed a two-run home run to Riley Greene in the first inning. 

He may not be the kind of frontline starter the Guardians envisioned he’d be when they traded for him in 2020, but he’s found a niche as a veteran arm who is a leader in the clubhouse. 

Quantrill’s best season with the Guardians came in 2021 when he had a 2.89 ERA in 149 2/3 innings. While that performance came in what was a bit of a lost year for Cleveland, he seemed to make a clear statement about his Cleveland future. 

He was solid in 2022 (3.38 ERA in 186 1/3 innings), but was the team’s No. 3 starter behind Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie. He had a sluggish final season with the Guardians in 2023, which kicked off a two-year span where he navigated the baseball wilderness and saw time with the Rockies, Marlins and Braves. 

Quantrill ended last season in the Rangers’ farm system, re-signed with them this offseason and ended up making his season debut for them this April. At the time, it seemed like he was going to be another arm the Rangers were just planning on cycling through. 

But now he’s become one of the most important arms on their team as they look to crash the American League postseason picture. 

That could end up impacting the Guardians’ postseason plans too, as Cleveland holds the second Wild Card spot with a record of 47-44, while the Rangers are holding the third Wild Card spot with a 45-45 record. 

While Quantrill wouldn’t be a part of the Rangers’ potential postseason rotation, he’s been tasked with holding down the fort for the time being.

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