While the Grizzlies were more competitive in Game 2 than in Sunday’s 51-point defeat, they still did not have an answer for Williams. In Oklahoma City’s two victories, he dropped 44 points on 20-of-35 shooting. By comparison, he averaged 19.8 points per game on 49.2 percent shooting in four meetings with the Grizzlies during the regular season. Regardless of what Memphis has been able to do defensively to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their lack of an answer for J-Dub and the rest of the “supporting cast” is why Oklahoma City takes a 2-0 lead into Thursday’s Game 3.

Santander missed three games with a left shoulder bruise sustained Thursday. George Springer, who had DH’d the last four games in a row, is playing right field tonight.

Simeon Woods Richardson and Cade Povich were slated to start for the two teams tonight. They’ll be needed on Wednesday, when Bailey Ober and Dean Kremer were already scheduled to duel.

Sonny Gray and Jesús Luzardo were the scheduled starters tonight. They’ll surely pitch tomorrow, probably with Erick Fedde and Aaron Nola also toiling then.

It’s not totally unwarranted, but this is odd timing, given that McLain has a .360 OBP this month after coming in at .266 in April. He is still obviously struggling to hit for average, though. That it’s Santiago Espinal replacing in the second spot tonight seems like a big downgrade, but it’s surely temporary.

Brennan is making a second straight start since his callup. The Guardians will be getting Lane Thomas back from the IL either this weekend or early next week, at which point either Brennan or Jhonkensy Noel figures to be demoted. Jones is probably safe himself, since he’s out of options, but he’d be in line to lose much of his playing time if Brennan sticks.

Robert is hitting fourth tonight against lefty Andrew Abbott. Michael A. Taylor remains in the lineup as the right fielder, sending Joshua Palacios to the bench.