Shawn Armstrong

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the Guardians again in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are going to stick with what is working, as Armstrong has given up two hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings so far this postseason. He threw a scoreless inning in Game 4 and 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 5 on Sunday, so Monday will be his third straight appearance in the best-of-seven series. The 36-year-old veteran and former 18th-round pick by Cleveland in 2011 from East Carolina University went 2-1 during the regular season with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34:19 K:BB in 35 1/3 relief innings in his 12th year in the major leagues. Armstrong most likely will only go an inning or two at the most as he appears in the playoffs for the third straight day while trying to force a Game 7 in Tampa, with a trip to the World Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the line.