Kyle Manzardo Benched for ALDS Game 2 Against Tigers

Kyle Manzardo of the Cleveland Guardians will not be in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Detroit Tigers, The Athletic‘s Zack Meisel reports. The decision to bench Manzardo comes as the Tigers’ left-handed ace Tarik Skubal is set to pitch against the Guardians. Manzardo, who is also a left-handed hitter, will be replaced by David Fry in the designated hitter position. Fry will be batting second for the Guardians.

This lineup adjustment aligns with common baseball strategy, where managers often prefer not to play left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers, due to a perceived disadvantage. Manzardo’s absence reflects Cleveland Guardians’ manager’s preference to structure the lineup to optimize batting performance against Skubal’s style.

Kyle Manzardo has been a key player for the Guardians throughout the season, delivering solid performances that helped the team reach the playoffs. However, the specifics of matchup dynamics, such as pitching matchups, play a critical role in determining player participation during high-stakes games like the ALDS.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Fry performs in the designated hitter role and whether this strategic move pays off for the Guardians as they face off against Detroit in this crucial game of the series.