MLB’s best clash as Phillies, Guardians eye series win

The Philadelphia Phillies are showing they’re serious about going deep into the postseason, and they’ll try to flex their muscles in the rubber game of their three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon.

The Phillies and Guardians came into the series with the two best records in the major leagues. Cleveland won 3-1 on Friday, but Philadelphia came back with an 8-0 victory on Saturday behind a four-hitter from rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips.

During Saturday’s game, the Phillies traded for Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estevez. A day earlier, Philadelphia acquired former All-Star outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles.

“I think just the way we played earlier in the season, if we had stood pat, I think that’s a team that has a chance to win a world championship,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ve just made ourselves better.”

The Phillies are especially excited about Estevez, 31, who has 20 saves in 23 opportunities this season with a 2.38 ERA and has not allowed a run in his past 18 appearances covering 18 innings.

“The reality comes down, for me, we wanted the best guy to give us a chance we felt to win this year,” said Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for Philadelphia. “There might’ve been some guys that maybe we could’ve gotten (under contract for multiple years, while Estevez could become a free agent after the season), but we didn’t think were as good (of) pitchers to win in the postseason.”

All-Star left-hander Ranger Suarez was expected to start the series finale for the Phillies, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday afternoon with lower back soreness.

Suarez was 9-0 with a 1.36 ERA heading into Memorial Day weekend, but he’s 0-3 in three starts this month with a 6.61 ERA and hasn’t won since June 8.

The Phillies recalled left-hander Kolby Allard from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday and he’ll start the series finale.

Allard has made 16 appearances (10 starts) for Lehigh Valley this season and is 2-6 with a 5.23 ERA in 63 2/3 innings.

He has made two appearances against Cleveland in his career, including one start, and is 0-0 with a 4.32 ERA.

The Guardians are expected to call up left-handed prospect Joey Cantillo, 24, to make his major league debut in the series finale. Cantillo, the organization’s No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in eight games (seven starts) this season at Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians had planned to start Xzavion Curry, but he’ll join the bullpen. He replaced right-hander Spencer Howard, who was designated for assignment.

Curry made his last start on Tuesday after he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. He allowed two runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 5-4 win against the Detroit Tigers.

Curry had struggled in the minors, posting a 6.58 ERA in 12 games (11 starts), while walking 21 and allowing 15 home runs over 53 1/3 innings.

“Every time Zay’s taken the ball up here, he goes out and competes. That’s just who he is,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Triple-A numbers are Triple-A numbers, but every time he throws here, it’s been good. I just love the way he attacks and competes. Zay meets everything, every challenge with a big smile on his face and a great attitude. This is somebody who is just a true competitor and a big part of our team.”

–Field Level Media