Austin Hedges in for Patrick Bailey vs. Rays

The Guardians were able to stave off elimination with a victory in Game 3 on Wednesday and they’ll run back an almost identical lineup as they try to do the same in Game 4. The only change will be Hedges catching instead of Patrick Bailey. Here’s the full lineup for the Guardians in a must-win spot against Hagen Smith and company on Thursday evening in Chicago: Steven Kwan (CF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Chase DeLauter (RF), Jo Adell (DH), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Angel Martinez (LF), Travis Bazzana (2B), Hedges (C) and Brayan Rocchio (SS).

Hedges’ ninth inning home run was a reenactment of the meme where Chris Paul’s three cut the lead to 42 as it helped the Guardians get within eight runs. Still, that was his third home run through eight July games and he’s somehow currently one of the hottest hitters in the league with a 1.082 OPS over his last 15 contests. Check out your window to make sure pigs aren’t flying, play the lottery, and go crazy because apparently anything is possible.

Hedges singled in the fifth inning and ultimately came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Travis Bazzana. The 33-year-old backstop has been unexpectedly productive at the plate this season, slashing a healthy .289/.348/.414 with three homers, 14 RBI and a stolen base in 145 plate appearances.

Hedges knocked a base hit to lead off the third. He then supplied Cleveland’s only run of the game with a solo homer off Sean Burke in the fifth. He’s hit safely in six straight starts, with home runs in two of his last three. The 33-year-old backstop is having his best season at the plate, hitting .281/.343/.413 with three homers, 16 runs scored, and 14 RBI across 138 plate appearances.

The stunning early-season trade is now official. Bailey is universally regarded as one of the top defensive specialists in the entire game and should immediately strengthen Cleveland’s entire pitching staff. The 26-year-old backstop is a non-factor at the plate, but he’s a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and seems to fit the mold of what the Guardians front office is looking for in a defensive-oriented starting catcher. It’ll be Bo Naylor heading to Triple-A while veteran Austin Hedges sticks around as his caddy. Bailey’s departure means the Giants are going to roll with youngsters Daniel Susac and Jesus Rodríguez as their catching tandem moving forward.

Hedges was hit on the right hand by a pitch. If he needs to on the IL, the Guardians could bring back Jonathan Rodriguez or Petey Halpin. They already have David Fry to use as their backup catcher.

Heyman adds that Hedges will receive $500,000 in performance-based incentives. The 33-year-old backstop will return for his sixth season in Cleveland. He’s been a complete non-factor at the plate, but he’s remains a sublime defender from a pitch-framing perspective. He’ll serve as Bo Naylor’s primary caddy next season.

The Guardians will be going with their typical lineup against left-handed pitching, which means Rodríguez will start in right field, with Jhonkensy Noel starting at first base, Austin Hedges catching, and Angel Martinez in center field. Rodríguez is slashing .240/.309/.460 against lefties this season with two home runs in 55 plate appearances, so his presence doesn’t move the needle a huge amount.

In his 39th start of the season, Hedges finally got himself a multihit game. His last came nearly a year ago on Aug. 26, 2024 against the Royals. He deserved it, too, hitting balls 100.6, 106.3 and 108.6 mph tonight. He actually nearly had a third hit on the sac fly, though only because the center field tripped going after it before recovering. Hedges, hitting .143 this season, hasn’t had a three-game since he miraculously collected four hits on Aug. 18, 2019, his 27th birthday.

Hedges was officially activated prior to Friday’s series opener against the Mariners following a one-week stint on the concussion injured list. He’ll continue backing up starter Bo Naylor.