The Cleveland Guardians host the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on Tuesday, September 1, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Gavin Williams gets the ball for Cleveland against Toronto's Spencer Arrighetti in a regular-season matchup that carries real weight as September baseball begins. With the calendar flipping to the final month of the season, every game at home matters, and the Guardians will look to take advantage of a friendly crowd on the lakefront.

Probable Starters: Gavin Williams vs. Spencer Arrighetti

Gavin Williams draws the assignment for Cleveland. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown the kind of stuff that can keep a lineup off-balance, and getting him on the mound in a meaningful September home game is exactly what this organization needs. Williams has the ceiling to be a frontline starter, and Tuesday night is an opportunity to show it against a Blue Jays lineup that will not give him anything easy.

Spencer Arrighetti makes the trip to Cleveland for Toronto. He is a pitcher capable of going deep into games, so the Guardians' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient early, working counts and creating traffic on the bases rather than chasing early in at-bats.

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan — CF
• 2. Chase DeLauter — DH
• 3. José Ramírez — 3B
• 4. Jo Adell — RF
• 5. Nathaniel Lowe — 1B
• 6. Angel Martínez — LF
• 7. Travis Bazzana — 2B
• 8. Patrick Bailey — C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio — SS

Keys to Watch

José Ramírez Sets the Tone

Hitting third, Ramírez is the heartbeat of this lineup. When he is locked in, the entire middle of the order has a different energy. If Arrighetti is going to have any trouble early, it will start with how he handles Ramírez in his first two or three plate appearances. Cleveland needs JRam to be a factor.

Kwan and DeLauter at the Top

Steven Kwan leading off is no surprise — he brings consistent contact and on-base ability that sets the table. Chase DeLauter batting second in the DH spot is worth monitoring. The lineup construction puts two left-handed-friendly bats at the top before Ramírez arrives, and that kind of depth can grind a starter down quickly.

Williams Commanding His Fastball

If Gavin Williams can get ahead in counts and keep the Blue Jays from working deep into at-bats, Cleveland is in a strong position. Toronto will not manufacture runs against a locked-in Williams. The key is limiting walks and keeping the pitch count manageable through six innings.

Travis Bazzana's Development

Batting seventh, Bazzana continues to get regular-season reps at second base. Every plate appearance in September is a data point for this young player, and how he handles a competent Toronto pitching staff will be telling.

Prediction

This is a game Cleveland should win at home. Williams has the stuff to neutralize a Toronto lineup, and the Guardians' offense — anchored by Ramírez and with legitimate depth from top to bottom — has enough firepower to support him. Expect a competitive game that Cleveland pulls out by two or three runs. Guardians 4, Blue Jays 2.

Catch the game on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive or listen on WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7. Spanish-language coverage is available on WARF 1350.