Guardians' "Dr. Sticks" is becoming a force in the A.L.

[Auggie]

Dr. Sticks is Guardians starter Triston McKenzie -- 6-foot-5 (and listed) at 165 pounds -- and he's a huge part of Cleveland's push as they attempt to win the A.L. Central Division.

Backed by a terrific seven-inning outing from McKenzie and an early two-run homer from Amed Rosario, Cleveland secured a 6-4 win over Minnesota on Saturday night at Target Field, creating more separation with the-now-third-place Twins in the American League Central race.

The Guardians are in a stretch of critical games over the next few weeks against the Twins and White Sox. As the end of the regular season draws nearer, the intensity of each contest heightens. And McKenzie is proving that he can be a guy his team can turn to.

Saturday’s start proved a lot about Cleveland’s next rising star. McKenzie entered having held opponents to a .198 average this season, which ranked the fourth best among qualified AL pitchers. Yet that success didn’t always translate against the Twins -- one of the teams the Guardians know they have to beat in order to make the postseason.

McKenzie tossed seven scoreless frames, giving up six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. His curveball remained as lethal as it has been all year and his heater averaged 93 mph -- nearly a full mile per hour faster than his season average.

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/triston-mckenzie-logs-seven-scoreless-innings-in-guardians-win

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"Sticks" -- the media would have made him a household name by now if he pitched for the Mets, Yankees or Dodgers.