“They’ve been unbelievable,” outfielder Steven Kwan said. They also optioned reliever Michael Kelly to Triple-A, all of this to clear a spot for Triston McKenzie’s return today. The Guardians are designating Zach Plesac for assignment. “When I signed over here, I think that was the first thing I said: ‘Thank God I’m on this side and I don’t have to face you anymore.’” “I don’t even want to look at those numbers,” said Gallagher, who is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against McKenzie. Gallagher said McKenzie served him a steady diet of sliders when they squared off when Gallagher played for the Royals. “It was, like, staying up, but then it would drop.” “I hadn’t really seen a slider like his before,” Twins shortstop Kyle Farmer said.

They came up empty on six of those swings. Hitters offered at seven of McKenzie’s sliders.

“The life he had on his fastball,” said catcher Cam Gallagher, “being able to throw his slider and his curveball whenever he wanted, locate and get a lot of swing-and-miss, he executed the game plan and he was lights out.”

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