Winning a home series was the perfect prelude to the Cleveland Guardians’ four-game set with the Kansas City Royals.

Matthew Boyd scored his first victory since undergoing Tommy John surgery as Cleveland defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2 on Sunday.

The Guardians will need as many solid starters as possible in the playoffs, so every strong start by Boyd and Alex Cobb is a positive sign.

WE LIKE THIS GUY

Jose Ramirez put Cleveland on the board with a sacrifice fly to score Steven Kwan in the first.

Then Jhonkensy Noel did it again! He blasted his 12th homer in just 112 at-bats to increase the Guardians’ lead to 2-0.

Texas finally scored off Boyd on an RBI double in the fifth by Jonah Heim.

Noel got the run back in the seventh, using his hustle instead of his power. First, he reached first base after a strikeout and wild pitch.

Later, Noel scored on an errant pickoff throw by Texas reliever Jose Leclerc.

Corey Seager kept Texas in the game with a solo homer in the eighth to cut the Guardians’ lead to 3-2.

David Fry came right back with his 13th home run to restore Cleveland’s two-run lead.

That was enough for Emmanuel Clase, who struck out the side in the ninth for his 38th save.

LET’S PLAY TWO!

The Guardians lead the Royals and the Minnesota Twins by three games and will play KC twice today.

Nick Sandlin will bring his 7-0 record to the starting rotation against Royals’ All-Star Cole Ragans (10-8) at 1:10 p.m.

The nightcap will begin at 6:40 and feature Logan Allen (8-4) starting for Cleveland. Kansas City will counter with Alec Marsh (7-7).