The Cleveland Guardians have named Foster Griffin to start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday at Tropicana Field.
Manager Stephen Vogt confirmed the decision Sunday, settling the pitching question that remained open immediately after Cleveland’s Division Series comeback. Griffin will face Drew Rasmussen in the 8 p.m. Eastern opener, which is 6 p.m. Mountain.
The Guardians’ two leading ALDS starters, Parker Messick and Gavin Williams, had worked repeatedly during the five-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Their recent workloads narrowed Cleveland’s choices for the quick turnaround.
Griffin, a left-hander acquired from Washington before the trade deadline, struck out seven over 2⅔ relief innings in Cleveland’s Game 3 win. Monday will be his first career postseason start, according to MLB’s game preview.
His route to the assignment included three seasons in Japan, a return to the majors and his first MLB All-Star selection this year. He then joined Cleveland in the trade that brought another experienced starter into the rotation.
Rasmussen enters after helping Tampa Bay sweep the Yankees in the ALDS. The Rays had more time to reset their pitching while Cleveland needed the full five games to advance.
The matchup also gives Cleveland an opportunity to test Tampa Bay with a left-handed starter. MLB.com’s reporting noted that the Rays’ regular-season offense performed better against right-handers than left-handers.
The confirmed opener updates Sunday’s unsettled pitching plans. Cleveland had not announced its complete rotation in the same report.
Follow TSP’s MLB section and Caminero’s meeting with the club that traded him.
