Welcome to the 2022 Major League Baseball Playoffs opening game featuring the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians. This Game 1 battle represented quality pitching to go along with timely hitting as the Guardians came out victorious 2-1. This wildcard round is a best of three series, so anything can happen in the next two possible games!
Recap:
First, the starting pitching matchup was as good as advertised.
Rays starting pitcher and potential Cy Young winner Shane McClanahan went a strong seven innings, allowing only two runs and seven hits with five strikeouts. McClanahan was efficient on the mound, tossing 85 pitches total.
On the other side, Guardians star and former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber was absolutely stellar for the home team. Bieber tossed 7 and 2/3 innings, only letting up three hits and one run with an impressive eight strikeouts.
Other than Jose Siri, who had a solo home run in the 6th inning, Tampa Bay’s offense was non-existent throughout the game.
Meanwhile the Guardians stepped up when needed. Third baseman Jose Ramirez launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Guardians a 2-1 lead and they did not look back.
Coming Up
Heading into game two, the Rays will send out Tyler Glasnow in hopes of keeping their season alive. On the flip side, the Guardians will put Triston McKenzie on the bump. Glasnow just returned from Tommy John Surgery. He has not gone past three innings of work so far this season. McKenzie has been solid for the Guardians all year with 11 wins to go along with a 2.96 ERA.