Guardians Announce Starter For Home Opener

Logan Allen will be the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians' 2024 home opener.

Aug 20, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (41) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Guardians organization and fan base were hit with brutal news that Shane Bieber would require Tommy John surgery, thus ending his 2024 season. He was in line to be the starter for the team’s home opener on Monday afternoon, but that will no longer be the case.

Due to the injury, Logan Allen will now take Bieber’s spot as the first starting pitcher at Progressive Field this season as they take on the Chicago White Sox. This is what made the most sense as Allen is who has followed Bieber in the rotation in each of his two starts this season, but it was confirmed by Mandy Bell of MLB.com.

Aug 20, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (41) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Allen had a rocky season debut against the Oakland Athletics as he struggled with command. However, he made up for that with a stellar start against the Seattle Mariners in the series finale. Allen pitched 6.2 innings gave up just four hits, struck out six batters, and didn’t allow a single run. This brings his early 2024 ERA down to a 2.31.

Monday’s home opener at Progressive Field will be one unlike any other due to a historic event that will take place just an hour before the first pitch. Cleveland is directly in the line of the total solar eclipse that will draw the attention of all natives of the city and those visiting just for the event.

Progressive Field’s gates will open at 2:00 to allow fans to view the spectacle that will take place at 3:13 pm. The game will then start at 5:10 when Allen will take the mound. 

Author's Note: After the Guardians' series finale with the Twins was rained out on Sunday April 7, the team announced the Triston McKenzie will now start for the Cleveland for their home opener.