Logan Allen, Guardians go for sweep of host Pirates

Cleveland left-hander Logan Allen will try to build off a recent stretch of success on Sunday afternoon when he takes the mound for the Guardians in the finale of a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

Allen (1-1, 2.30 ERA) will try to lead Cleveland to a sweep when he opposes Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller (1-2, 4.30), who has put together quality starts back-to-back and in three of his four outings so far this season. Cleveland won the first two games of the series.

Allen opened the season as the Guardians' fifth starter after spending most of the second half of last season at Triple-A Columbus.

After a rough first start (four runs in 5 1/3 innings) in a 7-0 loss at the San Diego Padres on April 1, Allen has not allowed an earned run over his past two starts -- a span of 10 1/3 innings. Allen would like to give the Guardians more length, however, as his most recent start Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles was the first time he pitched past the fifth inning this season.

Allen struck out six and allowed two hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-3 win for Cleveland. Allen has one career start against the Pirates on July 18, 2023, and picked up a win after allowing only one hit over five scoreless innings. Keller picked up the loss that day, yielding eight runs and 10 hits in six innings.

"Logan, like I've said from the beginning of spring training, I love the way he's going out there and competing," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said recently.

The Guardians' Kyle Manzardo, who homered off Paul Skenes on Saturday, has two home runs in three career at-bats against Keller. His homer against Skenes traveled 411 feet and landed in the Allegheny River past the right field stands, making him the first Cleveland hitter ever to do so and the 51st overall.

Skenes' start marked the fifth start in the past six games for Pirates pitchers of six or more innings. Pittsburgh's offensive struggles have limited it to only three wins in those five starts. Keller, who is 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA in three career starts against Cleveland, will try to keep that run of Pirates starter success going.

Keller gave up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in his most recent start Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. That start was marred when Keller hit Paul DeJong in the face with a pitch. DeJong was later placed on the injured list with a fractured nose.

"I feel pretty sick about that one," Keller said after his last start. "You hate for that to happen. You just have to battle back after that."

Pirates first baseman Enmanuel Valdez appeared to suffer a left shoulder injury in the bottom of the ninth inning of Saturday's loss when he slid into third base trying to extend a leadoff hit into a triple. Adding to Pittsburgh's frustration on the play, Valdez took his hand off the bag, appearing to call for time and was tagged by Jose Ramirez. The umpire then called Valdez out, stifling a potential rally.

The Pirates are already depleted at the position with Spencer Horwitz still out with a right wrist injury and Endy Rodriguez, who has played nine games at first, on the IL with a right finger laceration. Jared Triolo is the only other Pirates player on the active roster who has played at first base this season.

--Field Level Media