Riley Greene, Javier Baez, and Gleyber Torres are slated to start in this month’s All-Star Game, representing the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians also secured a starting position for the American League. Both teams are set to meet in Cleveland for a pivotal three-game series starting Saturday night, where Tigers’ right-hander Casey Mize (8-2, 2.86 ERA) will face Guardians’ left-hander Logan Allen (5-6, 4.27 ERA).
Steven Kwan’s Bid for All-Star Inclusion Gains Attention
Cleveland’s left fielder Steven Kwan, who narrowly missed being voted in as a starter despite being a finalist in fan balloting, is expected to be in the lineup. The three-time Gold Glove winner is aiming for his second consecutive All-Star selection as a reserve, bolstered by his consistent defensive and offensive contributions. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed strong support for Kwan’s inclusion in the roster.
Steven Kwan, 100 percent should be an All-Star — and I think he will be,
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.
I don’t think you can quantify what he means to us.
Recent Performance and Team Struggles Affect Kwan’s Prospects
Though Kwan’s season average remains solid at .296, his batting has dipped recently, with a 7-for-37 streak (.189) over the last nine games. His output now stands at six home runs, 26 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. The Guardians’ recent eight-game losing streak, which continued with a 2-1 loss in Friday’s opener against Detroit, complicates his All-Star case. During that game, Wenceel Perez and Zach McKinstry homered while Reese Olson returned strong from injury to help the Tigers secure the win.
Vogt believes that beyond statistics, Kwan’s consistent defense, work ethic, and clubhouse presence will boost his chances for selection when rosters are finalized Sunday.
Just the consistent defense, consistent at-bats, who he is in the clubhouse,
Vogt noted.
The consistency at which he works and takes the field every day, and the spark that he gives our lineup and our team, every time he comes to the plate.
Guardians Struggle Offensively Amidst Losing Streak
Cleveland’s offense has sputtered during the skid, being shut out in four games and scoring three or fewer runs in two others. Meanwhile, Detroit, holding the American League’s best record, has been pulling ahead in the Central Division but is still only 2-3 against Cleveland this season. Perez commented on the competitive balance between the two teams.
Every time, they have a pretty good matchup with us because we play pretty well against each other,
Perez said. It’s baseball.
Pitching Matchups and Team Form Preview Key Series
Logan Allen has struggled against Detroit, posting an 0-2 record with a 9.75 ERA in three starts versus the Tigers. Casey Mize’s record versus Cleveland is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts. Despite a slight cooling off recently with an 11-9 record over their last 20 games, Detroit’s pitching remains formidable. Tarik Skubal, the reigning Cy Young winner, teams effectively with Mize, while relievers Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle have combined for 22 saves this season.
In Friday’s opener, pitching support came from Olson, Tyler Holton, Kahnle, and Vest, who collectively allowed only nine hits. Vest earned a four-out save as the Tigers improved to 25-20 on the road.
All night, we were just trying to hand the ball to the next guy, regardless of who finished it,
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
It could have been Kahnle or Vest.
All of our guys train for four-out saves because you can’t ambush them by asking them to do it against a division opponent, in front of a packed house on July 4th like tonight, if they’re not prepared.
Significance of the Series and What Lies Ahead
This series holds significant weight for both clubs. The Tigers hope to maintain their divisional advantage and extend their momentum behind strong pitching. Conversely, the Guardians aim to reverse their losing streak, with performances from players like Steven Kwan potentially shaping their fortunes. Kwan’s All-Star Game inclusion announcement on Sunday will reflect both his personal contributions and the broader recognition of his role during a challenging stretch for Cleveland.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Steven Kwan Chinese or Korean?
A. Kwan has both Chinese and Japanese ancestry.