Overview

• The Cleveland Guardians return home for their first game at Progressive Field after a challenging 3-6 road trip to open the season.
• Manager Stephen Vogt has announced that right-hander Ben Lively will start the opener, while the White Sox will counter with rookie Shane Smith.
• The Guardians have faced offensive struggles, going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position in their last two games, and defensive issues, posting the league's lowest fielding percentage at .970.
• Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, with several key players on the injured list, adding uncertainty to the series' outcomes.
• The Guardians went 8-5 against the White Sox last year, but Chicago leads the all-time head-to-head record by a narrow margin of 1,129-1,124.