The Cleveland Guardians were wrapping up final preparations for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers when Stephen Vogt revealed some major news for Game 2 on Monday. The Guardians skipper said the veteran pitcher Matthew Boyd would get the start for Cleveland in the second home game of the series.
This shouldn't come as a major surprise to anyone, given Cleveland's second half of the season rotation and how effective Boyd has been since the beginning of August. In his eight starts, Boyd posted a 2.72 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, including five starts where he struck out six batters or more.
While Boyd is 33 years old and considered a veteran arm in the game, he's yet to appear in the postseason, making Monday his playoff debut. Still, his experience from pitching in the majors for nine years will come into play against a young Detroit team.
Chris Antonetti said when they signed Boyd at the end of June that the organization was hoping that Boyd would be able to impact the rotation in some way in August. No one could have envisioned that he would be the second starter in their playoff rotation.
A Familiar Foe
Another storyline from Game 2 will be who's taking the mound for the Tigers. Boyd spent the majority of his career pitching in Detroit and grew close to starter Tarik Skubal, who will get the nod for the Tigers. Skubal said ahead of the series on Monday that while the two remain friends, he'll certainly be rooting against him in the series.
Revenge Game
Boyd is expected to start for Cleveland in Game 2 of the ALDS versus Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. It will be a revenge game for Boyd, who pitched for the Tigers from 2015 to 2021 and again in 2023. The left-hander joined the Guardians for the 2024 campaign and began the season on the IL with an elbow injury before making his Cleveland debut Aug. 13. In the majors, Boyd registered a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings across eight starts. Ben Lively, who made 29 starts for Cleveland during the campaign, was left off the team's ALDS roster.
A Storybook Ending?
While we're still waiting for Game 1's results, Game 2 is set up to be an entertaining pitching matchup, given the storylines and history. Boyd's journey from a young prospect in Detroit to a seasoned veteran pitching for a playoff contender against his former team adds a captivating layer to this already anticipated game. It's a testament to his resilience and determination that he's now on the verge of making his postseason debut, especially after battling back from a significant injury. For Boyd, this game represents a chance to prove his worth against his former team, while for Skubal, it's an opportunity to outshine his friend and former teammate. The stakes are high, and the emotions will be running strong, making Game 2 of the ALDS a must-watch for fans of both teams.
