Guardian face must-win

The fact of the matter is the Guardians are teetering on the edge of falling into the realm of also-ran. A two-game losing streak following a day of sweeping trade acquisitions is not in The Book on how to win pennants.

But that is where the Guardians find themselves on this August 6 morning. At 57-58, they are under .500 for the first time since May 5, yet still remain three games out from the White Sox, who are also losing.
So this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. might as well be High Noon for the Guardians. It’s a pivot point in the season. It won’t be easy. The Mets will be throwing Nolan McLean (7-7, 3.29 ERA), who has become an ace of sorts for New York.
Cleveland will counter the newly acquired lefty Foster Griffin, who was 12-3 with Washington this year and a National League All-Star.
The Mets are playing like the $365 million team that many picked as a World Series favorite and have been a scrappy foe. They've tortured Guardians pitching with the long ball. Tanner Bibee gave up three a lone last night in the 6-5 loss.
The lineup is out, and Jose Ramirez is back in it, batting No. 3 at third base. Bazzana leads off and DHs, while Angel Genao, the hot-shot rookie who had four hits in the 6-5 loss on Aug. 5, starts at second and bats ninth. I will not be in attendance and will instead listen to Hammy on the call. I went to the last two games. Lots of Mets fans.

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