Marlins hope to finish strong first half by avoiding sweep vs. Guardians

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo, who has a 1.80 ERA in two July starts, isn't easy to hit.

Cantillo, who will start against the host Miami Marlins on Sunday as the Guardians look for a three-game sweep, has an over-the-top delivery that gives batters fits. In fact, from last year to this season, his hard-hit rate has dropped from 41.8% to 36.5%.

Cantillo is 7-4 with a 3.66 ERA this season, his third in the majors. He's already set a career high in wins and looks for his eighth in his first career start against the Marlins.

As for Cleveland's offense, third baseman Jose Ramirez and left fielder Angel Martinez are on the injured list, along with their combined 21 homers, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt can't wait to get them back.

"We haven't played our best baseball (without them)," Vogt said. "But we've found ways to win."

Without Ramirez and Martinez, other Guardians players have emerged, including rookie right fielder Chase DeLauter, who has 10 homers, 45 RBIs and a .279 batting average, best among everyday starters on the team.

"Chase is learning faster than most," Vogt said. "Good hitters foul (tough) pitches off, and Chase has done that."

DeLauter, Cleveland's first-round pick (No. 16 overall) in 2022, is part of a stellar rookie class for the Guardians. That class includes starting second baseman Travis Bazzana (first overall pick in 2024) and starting pitcher Parker Messick (second-rounder in 2022), both of whom are among Cleveland's three players selected to the All-Star Game.

Then again, using rookies in key places is necessary for the Guardians, who have the lowest payroll in the major leagues ($80 million).

The Marlins, meanwhile, have the second-lowest payroll ($80.8 million).

That being said, the Guardians and Marlins would both be in the playoffs if the season ended today. And, by contrast, the Mets -- who have the highest payroll in baseball at $328.7 million -- are essentially out of contention this year.

After initially not announcing a starter, Miami will start right-hander Tyler Phillips (2-3, 3.28) in his ongoing conversion from reliever to starter.

After his first 15 appearances this season came out of the bullpen, he's started eight of his last nine outings. By now, he's essentially completed the transformation, throwing a season-high 97 pitches in his fourth and final June start.

The 28-year-old's two July starts have been a mixed bag. After he was tagged for five runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings against the Athletics on July 3, he delivered five shutout innings and was the winning pitcher in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.

"Really nice bounce-back for Tyler," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after Phillips' last start. "As he continues to make this transition back to starting, filling up the zone (is key) because he's got so many weapons to go to. I think that's kind of the ticket is being on attack and giving himself count leverage."

Since Phillips will be on three days' rest after a 71-pitch outing, the Marlins bullpen will need to do some heavier lifting than normal in the final game before the All-Star break.

On paper, that shouldn't be a problem for the Marlins, who have a 3.72 bullpen ERA, seventh-best in the majors.

--Field Level Media