Guardians scramble for a starter vs. the Cubs on July 3 after Luis Ortiz hits the restricted list. Can Cleveland overcome the sudden pitching change?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when Cleveland was gearing up to bounce back from a tight loss, the Guardians were thrown a major curveball. Right-hander Luis Ortiz, who was scheduled to start tonight's series finale against the Chicago Cubs, has been unexpectedly placed on the restricted list. The move forces a last-minute scramble on the mound and adds a layer of drama to a crucial matchup.
One minute you're prepping for an Ortiz start, the next you're wondering who's taking the mound. That's baseball in July.
The biggest news out of Cleveland today wasn't about a big hit or a great play, but a transaction wire alert. The team announced Thursday that RHP Luis L. Ortiz was placed on the restricted list, effectively making him unavailable to the team for an undetermined period. While the specific reasons were not disclosed, this move typically relates to non-baseball matters. To fill the roster spot, the Guardians have recalled left-hander Doug Nikhazy from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Nikhazy's role for tonight is still unclear, but his presence provides a much-needed arm.
The need for a strong pitching performance tonight is amplified by Wednesday's tough 5-4 loss. The Guardians' bats showed plenty of life, launching three solo home runs courtesy of Carlos Santana, Lane Thomas, and David Fry. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome the Cubs' offense, which was powered by Pete Crow-Armstrong (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Seiya Suzuki (2 hits, 3 RBIs). It was a classic case of 'close, but no cigar,' leaving fans hungry for a win in the rematch.
With Ortiz out, the question becomes: who starts against the Cubs and their scheduled starter, RHP Cade Horton? The Guardians haven't named a replacement starter, which strongly suggests a 'bullpen game' is on the table. This puts immense pressure on the entire relief corps to piece together nine innings against a potent lineup. Will Nikhazy be thrown into the fire immediately, or will manager Stephen Vogt rely on his trusted high-leverage arms to navigate the game from the start? It's a high-stakes puzzle the team needs to solve on the fly.
Tonight's game has suddenly transformed from a standard series finale into a true test of the Guardians' depth and resilience. The offense will need to replicate Wednesday's power surge, and the pitching staff will have to come together for a collective effort to steal a win. All eyes will be on the mound to see how Cleveland navigates this unexpected challenge and tries to earn a series split against the Cubs.
