Xzavion Curry Sets New Career Highs As He Continues To Increase Pitch Count For Guardians

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Xzavion Curry set new career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers.

Author:
Tommy Wild
Aug 19, 2023 2:52 PM EDT

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Cleveland Guardians

There's been a lot of talk about the Cleveland Guardians' rookie starting rotation. Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen have all been tremendous and historically good this season.

But there's another rookie pitcher in the rotation who's been just as important for the Guardians.

That's Xzavion Curry.

Curry began the season fighting for a spot on the roster during Spring Training. Injuries early on in the season paved the way for him to get on the roster. He found a niche as Cleveland's long reliever coming into the game to pitch two, three, and sometimes four innings at a time.

This may not seem like a big deal, but Xzavion's ability to go the distance saved the arms in the Guardians' bullpen on multiple occasions.

The team continued to rely on Curry as the injuries kept piling on with Shane Bieber and Cal Quantrill going down. Every fifth day was deemed a "bullpen game" with Curry as the opening pitcher. Now Curry is just a part of the rotation and he's been great in his role.

Curry has made six starts and has an ERA of 3.60 since Bieber went to the injured list on July 15. The team has continued to help him work his pitch count up and now Curry has gone five innings or more in his last three starts.

He pitched an absolute gem on Friday night when the Guardians took on the Tigers. Cleveland was already down a few pitchers with it being the second half of a doubleheader, but that wasn't an issue.

Curry pitched 6.0 innings, struck out six batters, and only allowed one run to score. The solo run should never have counted, but Oscar Gonzalez and Will Brennan lost the ball in the outfield.

This is now a new career high in IP and SO for Curry as he continues to shine in his role.

Terry Francona complimented Xzavion after the game saying "he pitched his heart out" and that "he was terrific." Those are both understatements.

Curry credited his success against the Tigers to staying ahead in counts, throwing first-pitch strikes, and getting quick outs. All things great starting pitchers do effectively.

It's hard to imagine where the rotation and pitching staff would be without Xavion Curry. He's stepped up in the big moments and deserves more credit than he's being given.

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