TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SATURDAY, JULY 9TH
#923 CLEVELAND with McKenzie (-126) over Kansas City with Heasley at 4:10 PM EST
After blowing a late 3-1 lead over the Royals last night, the Guardians will get back on track with a solid performance in this spot. Cleveland is now 1.0-game under the .500 mark and 4.5-games back in the division and manager Terry Francona will make darn sure his kids play better and finish in this right-back rematch.
Hitting the hill for the visitors will be right-hander Triston McKenzie. With 15 appearances to his credit including 14 starts, No. 24 has been scratched for only 36 earned runs and 64 hits in 87.1 innings. McKenzie whiffed 80 and walked 22 on his way to a 5-6 mark with a 3.71 ERA. Triston tossed a gem in his last performance as well. At home against the mighty Yankees, McKenzie surrendered no earned runs and one hit in 7.0 frames. Triston fanned seven and grabbed the dub in the Guardians 2-0 shutout victory.
Countering for Kaycee will be righty Jonathan Heasley. With 10 starts to his credit in 2022, No. 49 has been punched for 27 earned runs and 47 hits in 51.0 innings. Heasley struck out 38 and walked 26 on his way to a 1-4 record with a 4.76 ERA. Pitching at home hasn’t helped Jonathan either. In his own backyard, Heasley has been slapped for 13 earned runs and 21 hits in 21.2 frames. That’s bad enough for a 1-3 tally and a soft 5.40 ERA.
History will certainly be on the visitor’s side. Cleveland has won 35 of its last 51 in this series including 18 of its last 25 as a guest. On the other side of Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City has slipped in 21 of its last 31 when playing at home, 37 of its last 55 facing a right-handed starter, and 19 of its last 26 when coming off a win.
If the Guardians want to be taken seriously as a division contender, then knocking off a Royals team that has slipped in 25 of their last 40 at home and rests 20.0-games under the .500 mark is an absolute must. Take Cleveland with McKenzie. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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