Game 19 and 20 Preview Guardians/Marlins | 4/22 Double Header.

Fridays game was postponed and will be part of a traditional doubleheader. The Miami Marlins (10-9) and Cleveland Guardians (10-9) will lock horns for the first time since 2019, due to the new MLB schedule pitting every team against the other 29 for at least one series this season. The first pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. EST.

Cleveland has only played six games at home so far this season, going 2-4 in them against 2022 playoff teams. This is the first of six straight games at home for the Guardians. Hopefully, they’ll fare better than they did in Detroit during the week, as they dropped two of three against their AL Central rivals. Behind a three-run blast from Jose Ramirez, the Guardians salvaged the final game at least.

Guards Hitting

As we are all aware, our Guards have had issues driving in runs this season, entering this series they are currently ranked 23rd with 4.21 runs per game. In Detroit, they only mustered six runs throughout the series. The 2022 squad floundered in the playoffs because of slugging, and sure enough, they’re 26th in slugging percentage and 29th in home runs this season. There isn’t a team in the league better at stealing bases though, and their 11.0% walk rate (4th) helps with that. Need them to get the power and home runs to start improving.

Guards Relievers

Cleveland’s relievers rank 24th in war but have elite arms in the back of a bullpen that shut down games. Emmanuel Clase may be the best closer in the game and is second in the league with six saves. James Karinchak has struggled a bit this month but has nasty stuff that’s typically translated to success. Trevor Stephan usually pitches in front of both with the lead and has a 1.93 ERA. Cleveland’s bullpen is eighth in ERA. 

Prediction

The Miami Marlins have scored 10 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 10 games. The Marlins are 6-0 this season when scoring 4 or more runs. Luis Arraez leads the Marlins with 28 hits and 7 RBI, while Garrett Cooper and Bryan De La Cruz have combined for 38 hits and 17 RBI. Braxton Garrett gets the ball, and he is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and 13 strikeouts this season. This will be Garrett’s first career game against the Guardians.

The Cleveland Guardians have scored 6 runs in their last 3 games and 3 or fewer runs in 6 of their last 9 games. The Guardians are 3-8 this season when scoring 3 or fewer runs. Jose Ramirez leads the Guardians with 20 hits and 12 RBI, while Andres Gimenez and Myles Straw have combined for 38 hits and 11 RBI. Zach Plesac gets the ball, and he is 1-0 with a 6.92 ERA and 8 strikeouts this season. This will be Plesac’s first career game against the Marlins.

The Marlins are 16-35 in their last 51 Friday games and 6-2 in their last 8 overall. The Guardians are 8-1 in their last 9 Friday games and 36-17 in their last 53 overall. The under is 7-0 in Marlins’ last 7 overall. The under is 5-2 in Guardians’ last 7 overall. The Marlins are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland and 2-7 in the last 9 meetings.

Take the Guards to win both games with ace Shane Bieber taking the mound for Saturday’s matinee, but the Marlins have yet to announce their starter. For Game 2, the Guardians will send Zach Plesac, who was scheduled to pitch on Friday, to the rubber to face Miami lefty Braxton Garrett.