Guardians Weigh Opener for Struggling Cantillo | Cleveland Guardians News

Joey Cantillo’s command woes are threatening the Guardians’ playoff push—his last four starts have seen him surrender multiple baserunners in the first inning, often leading to early runs. To protect his momentum and give him a better chance to succeed, the team is seriously considering an “opener” strategy: using a high-velocity reliever like Daniel Espino to handle the first inning or two, letting Cantillo settle in later. While it could unlock his potential, it also risks burning bullpen arms and looks risky late in the season. With just 17 games left and the playoffs on the line, manager Stephen Vo...