Cleveland took the last laugh in an early-season back-and-forth with Chicago, holding off the White Sox 7-6 on Tuesday in a game that swung possession of the scoreboard more than once before the Guardians closed it out.
This one continued a rocky stretch for Cleveland, who had dropped a 7-3 decision to the White Sox just the night before. The Guardians answered back on Tuesday, and the two clubs traded body blows all night before Cleveland finally pulled away late. In the end it was Cleveland's lineup, paced by a monster night from second baseman Travis Bazzana, that made the difference.
Bazzana was the story of the game, full stop. His 51.5 fantasy points were well clear of the next-best performer on either roster, and it wasn't particularly close. Whatever combination of hits, extra bases and situational production went into that line, Bazzana was clearly doing damage in every at-bat he got. In a game decided by a single run, that kind of production from the middle of the order is the difference between a series win and a series loss.
He didn't do it alone, either. Right fielder Jo Adell chipped in 29.0 fantasy points, giving Cleveland a legitimate one-two punch that Chicago's pitching staff couldn't slow down for nine innings. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio added 26.5 more, and between those three bats alone the Guardians had more than enough offense to survive a shaky final line from the pitching staff, which gave up seven runs of its own.
On the mound, starter Foster Griffin turned in a solid outing worth 18.5 fantasy points, doing enough to keep Cleveland in front before handing things to a bullpen that got the job done collectively if not spectacularly. Cade Smith, Erik Sabrowski and Tim Herrin each posted right around 10.0 fantasy points out of the pen, the kind of steady, unspectacular relief work that closes out one-run games. Steven Kwan also factored in with 11.5 points from the leadoff spot, doing the little things that set the table for Bazzana and company.
Chicago didn't go quietly, and this was no laugher. Brenton Doyle led the White Sox with 21.0 fantasy points out of center field, continuing to be one of the more reliable pieces in an offense that has shown flashes all week. Third baseman Miguel Vargas and second baseman Chase Meidroth each posted 20.0 fantasy points, giving Chicago three players in the 20-point range and proof that this lineup can match Cleveland blow for blow when it's clicking. Left fielder Sam Antonacci added 16.5 more, rounding out a balanced offensive effort that simply came up one run short.
Starter Davis Martin didn't have his best stuff, finishing with 9.8 fantasy points in an outing that clearly let some runs cross the plate, and the White Sox pitching staff overall couldn't quite contain a Cleveland order that had Bazzana surging. When your opponent's number two hitter posts a night well clear of anyone else on the field, that's usually the ballgame, and it was here.
For Cleveland, this is another data point in what's shaping up as an early tug-of-war with Chicago. The Guardians have now traded wins and losses with the White Sox through the first stretch of the season, and Tuesday's result at least gives them the emotional edge heading into the next matchup. Bazzana looks like a player capable of carrying this offense on given nights, and if he keeps producing at this level, Cleveland's lineup becomes considerably tougher to navigate.
For Chicago, the takeaway isn't panic. Doyle, Vargas and Meidroth all showed up, and the offense scored six runs against a Cleveland pitching staff that had to lean on its bullpen to close things out. The margins right now are razor thin between these two clubs, and Tuesday's one-run finish is proof of it. Expect this rivalry to keep swinging back and forth as the season rolls on.
Bazzana's monster performance made him the easy top scorer for fantasy managers on JockBroker Tuesday night, the kind of breakout stat line that can carry an entire lineup on its own.
