Guardians gear up for big series against White Sox

CLEVELAND — The Guardians recognize the significance of the three-game series against the White Sox that began Monday night at Progressive Field. But they're doing their best to treat it as just another three days at the ballpark. "We know what's at stake this series and that's three games against the Chicago White Sox," manager Stephen Vogt said. "Just like any other divisional series, we want to win it. Anything outside of that is outside pressure. We feel it. Of course we're going to feel it, but we can't allow that to get into our heads. We just need to go out and play three really good baseball games. "I think a lot's being made that it comes down to these three games. We've got 12 games left. We've got a long way to go. We know what's at stake these first three games and they are important and they're big because we get to play a divisional opponent that we're chasing." Though Cleveland's roster is young, it is full of players who have been in big-game situations before — as early as last year, when they chased down the Tigers from a 15½-game deficit to win their second straight Central Division title. That should benefit them as they try to wrestle first place from the White Sox. "This team has a lot of experience playing close games. We have a lot of experience playing in big games. A lot of these guys have played in bigger settings than this," Vogt said. "'Go play baseball. Go have fun.' It's still a game. We still have to go out there and obviously be at our best, but we have to have fun. When we're not relaxed having fun, we don't play at our best. "Our veterans, the guys who have been here before, they're so good at getting people to relax and just go play. It's just another baseball game." It would seem that this a good time for a visit from Chicago, which entered Tuesday 4-8 in September and in the midst of an offensive struggle that allowed Cleveland to trim the deficit to a half-game through Monday. But Vogt cautioned that looks can be deceiving. "Their lineup's good. This team can hit," he said. "Whether it's individually, whether it's as a team, you go through good stretches, bad stretches, and you're one game away from snapping out of it or you're one game away from slipping into it. "Baseball's volatile and baseball's undefeated. We know how good they are. We have to pitch them accordingly, because they can do a lot of damage. So, we got to make our pitches." Playing in big games beats the alternative, and Vogt is grateful his team is in this situation. "This is what you work all spring, all offseason, all regular season. You work so that you can be playing meaningful games in September," he said. "And I've had plenty of seasons as a player that you're not playing meaningful games in September and that's no fun. "So, you cherish every moment that you have in this environment, and you cherish every one of these games because they don't come every year. We're thankful that we're in this position and that we have an opportunity and it's within our control. We just need to go out and play." Doctor's office Relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong (left calf strain) is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Tuesday at Triple-A Columbus. The right-hander, who has been sidelined since July 24, pitched an inning in his first rehab outing Friday, allowing a run on two hits. + Reliever Colin Holderman (right wrist inflammation) threw a bullpen session prior to Monday's game. + First baseman Rhys Hoskins (lower back inflammation) will build up throwing and running progression over the next 5-10 days, with hopes of beginning a minor league rehab assignment. This or that The Guardians are still deciding whether left-hander Joey Cantillo will remain in the rotation (Friday) or pitch out of the bullpen moving forward. He is next in line to start Friday after an off day Thursday. Cantillo (9-9, 3.89 ERA) is well past his career high innings total of 116 2/3 innings, pitching 148 innings in 31 games (30 starts). He served as opener in his last outing Saturday in Minnesota, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing only a hit and striking out eight. "We need to see how these next three days go," Vogt said. "Joey pitched phenomenally out of the bullpen, so obviously that plays a factor, and Joey's had some phenomenal starts. So, we don't know exactly what we're going to do coming out of the off day yet." On another note, Cantillo is the Guardians' Roberto Clemente Award nominee, recognizing a player for extraordinary character, community involvement and philanthropy. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.