Guardians’ upcoming series against Athletics is as ‘must-win’ as you can get for May 

Tomorrow night the Cleveland Guardians will take the field at a minor league field for a series against the Athletics. At face value, that premise makes it seem like it’s a series that most Guardians fans could sleep through. 

The exact opposite is true, however, as The A’s currently lead the American League West with a 17-14 after their 6-3 win over Kansas City on Thursday. 

While it’s still early, this series will be a huge litmus test for a Guardians team that’s hit a bit of a skid after starting the season hot. 

The Guardians have a great chance to make a statement against the A's

The biggest storyline for the Guardians going into the series is obviously the presence of Travis Bazzana, who is still seeking his first big league hit after starting his career 0-for-6 in two games he played against the Rays. 

The Guardians wouldn’t have called him up if they felt he wasn’t ready to play everyday, so he should be in Cleveland’s lineup for Friday’s game against right-hander J.T. Ginn and Sunday against right-handed starter (and old friend) Aaron Civale. 

Meanwhile, the Guardians are going with Joey Cantillo in Game 1 of the series, Slade Cecconi in Game 2 and Parker Messick in Game 3. Cantillo’s beginning to look like the version of him that finished last season strong, as he’s gone at least five innings in four of his last five starts and has allowed two runs or fewer in four of those five starts. 

That, coupled with the Guardians having a fresh bullpen, gives the Guardians a clear advantage over an Athletics team that won’t have a day off between series. 

The biggest uncertainty in the series is Cecconi, who is working through it right now and has been prone to allowing the big inning. That should be music to A’s fan’s ears given they have a lineup led by the reigning AL Rookie of the Year (Nick Kurtz) and one of the best offensive catchers in baseball (Shea Langliers), among others. 

Kurtz also leads MLB with 32 walks, so he has the ability to make pitchers work. 

But that could all go by the wayside when Messick steps on the mound. The 25-year-old rookie has posted a 1.73 ERA in 36 1/3 innings this year and thrust himself into the national zeitgeist when he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Orioles. 

He’s quieted lineup after lineup, and it’s hard to believe the Athletics will be any different. 

While a lot can happen in a three-game series played at a minor league park that’s a launching pad, this will be a good test to see how the Guardians’ new look lineup plays against an Athletics that seems to have all the makings of a postseason team. 

That’s worth staying up for. We promise. 

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