Guardians (32-37) at Diamondbacks (42-28) Game Preview | Saturday 6/17 10:10 PM. EST.

Game 2 of 3 Game Series Against the Arizona Diamondbacks

3 Things Preview Cleveland Guardians vs. Snakes:

1 – Length (deja vu) 

Tell me if you heard this before, the Guardians need some length badly from its starters, hopefully, Shane Bieber can go at least six strong today.  They could really use seven or eight as the bullpen is starting to see some signs of wear and tear.  The last quality start from the Guardians was from Bieber last Sunday against the Astros. 

I also believe this will put to rest for the moment any Bieber trade talks as the Guards really need him in the rotation.  

2 – Columbus call up

The Guardians, one would have to think, will be calling up someone today to replace Toussaint as they are going to need some help in the bullpen.  No word as of now, but it would be shocking if they did not call up a pitcher.  

3 – JRAM en fuego 

Jose Ramirez hit another home run last night going 2 for 4 and has been on a hot streak.  In his last nine games, he has raised his batting average by 30 points plus from .260 to .292 with five home runs

Guardians Notes

The Cleveland Guardians headed into the series against the Diamondbacks with the aim of securing their second consecutive win. In their previous game on Thursday, the Guardians triumphed over the San Diego Padres with an 8-6 victory, preventing a sweep in the three-game series at Petco Park in San Diego. This win marked Cleveland’s seventh triumph in their last eleven games, during which they managed to score a total of 55 runs.

Throughout the month of June, Cleveland has displayed a formidable offensive performance, boasting a triple-slash line of .284/.334/.426. They have recorded 31 extra-base hits and 11 home runs in 462 at-bats. Notably, Jose Ramirez has been on fire, going 16-for-47 with four home runs and ten runs batted in (RBI) in his last 11 games. Will Brennan and Josh Naylor have also been key contributors this month, accumulating a combined total of 38 hits and 18 RBI.

Taking the mound on Saturday will be 28-year-old right-hander Shane Bieber. In his 14 starts this season, Bieber has compiled a record of 5-3, with an impressive 3.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 64/23 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 87.2 innings pitched. Bieber’s performance in his recent outings has been outstanding, as he has allowed just one run on eight hits and a couple of walks over 12.2 innings of work. In his most recent start, he threw seven scoreless innings, striking out nine batters, and led the team to a 5-0 victory against the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Guardians Stats and Insights

GUARDIANS PROBABLE PITCHER – Shane Bieber

• Bieber’s team is 7-7-0 against the spread this season in his starts.
• The right-hander did not allow a run in seven innings pitched on Sunday in his last outing, a matchup with the Houston Astros.
• Bieber has pitched five or more innings in two straight games and will look to extend that streak.
• In 14 appearances this season, he has finished three without allowing an earned run.
• Bieber’s team has won 54.5% of his starts when they are favored on the money line (6-5).
• Bieber’s team has won six of his 14 starts this season.
• Out of Bieber’s 14 starts with a total this season, five have hit the over.

GUARDIANS HITTING TRENDS

• The Guardians have put up at least two dingers in 10 games this season, and are 8-2 in those outings.
• Cleveland has gone 7-4 in its 11 games this season with five or more extra-base hits.
• The club is 20-19 in the games this season it has collected eight or more hits.
• Cleveland is 16-5 in games this season when it put up five or more runs.
• The Guardians are 10-9 in games this season when they have drawn five or more walks

Diamondbacks Notes

On Friday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks aimed to break their three-game losing streak. Their previous game on Thursday resulted in a 5-4 defeat against the Philadelphia Phillies, causing them to lose the four-game series in front of their home fans. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the D-backs had their six-game winning streak halted by a decisive 15-3 loss to the Phillies.

In the month of June, Arizona displayed a solid offensive performance, boasting a slash line of .267/.342/.452. They have accumulated 36 extra-base hits and 14 home runs in 442 at-bats. Corbin Carroll has been particularly outstanding this month, going 18-for-49 with five home runs and 13 RBI. Additionally, Ketel Marte and Evan Longoria have each contributed a couple of home runs.

Taking the mound on Saturday will be 25-year-old left-hander Tommy Henry. In his nine starts and one relief appearance this season, Henry holds a record of 3-1, along with a 4.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 33/20 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 50 innings pitched. However, Henry has encountered significant struggles in his last two starts, surrendering ten earned runs on 14 hits and four walks over nine innings of work. In his most recent outing, which occurred last Monday, he gave up five earned runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings but did not factor in the decision against the Phillies.

Diamondbacks Stats and Insights

DIAMONDBACKS PROBABLE PITCHER – Tommy Henry

• Henry (3-1 with a 4.86 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Diamondbacks, his 10th of the season.
• In his last outing on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, the left-hander went 4 2/3 innings, giving up five earned runs while surrendering nine hits.
• Henry is looking to secure his sixth start of five or more innings this year in this matchup.
• He has held his opponents without an earned run in two of his 10 appearances this season.
• The Diamondbacks are 3-1 in Henry’s four starts this season they were the underdog on the money line.
• Over Henry’s nine starts, his team is 7-2.
• Henry’s starts hit the over on the run total five times in nine games with a set total this season.

DIAMONDBACKS HITTING TRENDS

• They’ve hit two or more homers in 28 games this season and are 21-7 in those matchups.
• In 22 games with five or more extra-base hits this season, it has a record of 17-5.
• They have won 41 of the 54 games in which they’ve collected eight or more hits this season.
• Arizona has a 41-7 record this season when scoring five or more runs in a game.
• In 28 games this season with five or more walks drawn, they’ve posted a record of 14-14

Final Thoughts/Pick

Arizona is currently leading the NL West standings and they have played well at home, while Cleveland is second in the AL Central and a few games under .500. Cleveland is starting Shane Bieber, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Arizona is starting Tommy Henry, who has allowed 10 earned runs over his last two starts (9 IP).

Our Pick: Take Guardians and the Moneyline