The Cleveland Guardians return to Progressive Field on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:40 PM ET to host the New York Mets in what figures to be a compelling mid-summer matchup. Left-hander Joey Cantillo gets the ball for Cleveland opposite veteran southpaw Sean Manaea for New York. The Mets are bringing a legitimate lineup to town — Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Francisco Alvarez, and Luis Robert Jr. all present real challenges — making this a meaningful test for a Guardians club that will need its starter to be sharp from the first pitch.

Probable Starters: Joey Cantillo vs. Sean Manaea

Joey Cantillo draws the assignment for Cleveland. The left-hander has been developing as a rotation piece for the Guardians, and starts like this one — against a potent, left-heavy-hitting lineup — are exactly the kind of outings that define a pitcher's role on a contending roster. He'll need to work his way through a Mets order that doesn't give away at-bats anywhere in the lineup.

On the other side, Sean Manaea brings experience and a deceptive delivery that has given right-handed hitters trouble throughout his career. The Guardians will need to manufacture offense against him, which puts a premium on Steven Kwan's ability to get on base and set the table at the top of the order.

Cleveland Guardians Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan, CF
• 2. Jo Adell, RF
• 3. Chase DeLauter, DH
• 4. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
• 5. Angel Martínez, LF
• 6. Travis Bazzana, 2B
• 7. Gabriel Arias, 3B
• 8. Austin Hedges, C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

New York Mets Lineup

• 1. A.J. Ewing, LF
• 2. Francisco Lindor, SS
• 3. Bo Bichette, 3B
• 4. Francisco Alvarez, DH
• 5. Carson Benge, RF
• 6. Luis Robert Jr., CF
• 7. Marcus Semien, 2B
• 8. Jared Young, 1B
• 9. Luis Torrens, C

Keys to Watch for Cleveland

• Cantillo vs. the middle of the Mets order: Lindor, Bichette, and Alvarez hitting two through four is a gauntlet. How Cantillo handles that stretch in his first two trips through the order will set the tone for Cleveland's night.
• Kwan and the top of the lineup against Manaea: Kwan's ability to work counts and get on base is Cleveland's ignition switch. If he's reaching base early and often, it opens the game up for Adell and DeLauter behind him.
• Travis Bazzana's at-bats: The young second baseman hitting sixth gives the Guardians a potential threat deeper in the order. His development as a consistent offensive presence is one of the storylines worth tracking throughout this series.
• Gabriel Arias at third: Arias provides a defense-first presence at the hot corner, but any offensive contribution against a pitcher of Manaea's caliber would be a bonus for Cleveland.

Prediction

This one figures to be a low-scoring, pitcher-driven game through the middle innings. Manaea is the kind of starter who can quiet a ballpark, and the Guardians will need to string together something against him rather than waiting for a single big swing. Cantillo has the stuff to keep the Mets honest, but the Lindor-Bichette-Alvarez stretch is unforgiving. If Cantillo can get through five innings and limit damage, Cleveland's bullpen gives them a path to a win at Progressive Field. Call it a tight 3-2 Guardians win on the strength of a quality Cantillo start and a Kwan-sparked rally in the middle innings.

First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET. Watch on WKYC 3 or Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive, or catch the call on WTAM 1100 and the Guardians Radio Network.