Petey Halpin gets the start over Angel Martinez for Guardians ALCS Game 3
Cleveland is starting Petey Halpin in center field over Angel Martinez for Thursday afternoon's ALCS Game 3, and it comes down to defense, speed and a brutal slump.
Why Petey Halpin is trending
Petey Halpin is trending because the Guardians picked him over Angel Martinez to start in center field for ALCS Game 3 on Thursday afternoon. That game has not been played yet. The Guardians don't have many lineup calls to make most days, catchers Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges mostly rotate based on the pitcher, but the outfield spot between Halpin and Martinez is the one real decision, and it could matter for who advances to the World Series.
For Game 3, the plan is Halpin in center, Steven Kwan in left and Chase DeLauter in right. That's the full lineup detail available ahead of first pitch. Nothing else about Thursday's game has been reported yet.
What Halpin brings to the lineup
Halpin's case starts with his glove. He's a strong defensive center fielder who uses his speed to cover ground, and his presence lets Kwan, a Gold Glove left fielder, stay locked into his best position. That same speed shows up on the bases, where Halpin stole 10 bags during the regular season.
He's not a power bat by modern standards, but he has four home runs in 178 at-bats this season, enough pop to matter in October. He's also been hot lately, with a pair of doubles late in the ALDS, though one of those ended with him thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.
Why Angel Martinez is sitting
The case against Martinez starting is simple: he's 1-for-18 at the plate this postseason with 10 strikeouts. His only hit came in Game 1 of the ALCS, a single after he entered as a substitute in the seventh inning.
Martinez had a breakout regular season in Cleveland, but he's hit a slump at the worst possible time. He's also a switch-hitter, which has made it tougher to find an adjustment since the problem shows up from both sides of the plate.
What happens next
Game 3 is set for Thursday afternoon. The outcome, and how Halpin performs in Martinez's place, could shape who comes out of the ALCS and heads to the World Series. No further details on the game or series schedule were available at the time of reporting.
Facts per Heavy.com. Opinion is the taproom's.