After the ups and downs for the 2023 Guardians with a record of 33-38, they are only one game out of the loss column to the Minnesota Twins. The AL Central is very winnable for the Guardians.
Aaron Civale looks to bounce back after his last start only going 3 2/3 innings against San Diego. Oakland has right-hander Luis Medina and his hefty 7.55 ERA on the bump.
The one player who enjoyed the west coast swing was Amed Rosario who was 6 for 9 in his last two games and raised his batting average in the past 5 games to .252 from .233.
The Guardians are having a rough season and hope to turn a corner to make up ground in the division. Aaron Civale will start the upcoming game and he hopes to build off a strong season as he’s only allowed eight runs in 27 innings pitched while tossing 22 strikeouts. Moreover, with a .381 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 34.6 Hard-Hit Rate, and a 3.97 expected ERA, opponents are making weak contact off the bat and struggling to drive in runs against Civale.
While Civale is putting together a strong season, the lineup has struggled, scoring only 3.90 runs per game. Jose Ramirez is slashing .285/.349/.502 with 11 home runs and 134 total bases while Josh Naylor is slashing .288/.331/.450 with 103 total bases but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Only two batters have an OPS+ over 100 and opposing pitchers can eliminate the hapless lineup as a result.
The A’s are enduring an exceptionally dismal season, reaching historic lows. To compound their misfortune, the team has initiated the process of relocation, adding to the misery felt by the fans in Oakland. In the upcoming game, Luis Medina will take the mound, hoping to bounce back from a woeful season where he has conceded 34 runs in 39.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately, Medina’s performance has been plagued by a .505 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 46.3 Hard-Hit Rate, and an expected ERA of 5.81. Opposing teams have capitalized on these weaknesses, consistently making solid contact and easily driving in runs.
In addition to Medina’s struggles, the team’s lineup has been the weakest in all of baseball, managing to score a meager average of 3.54 runs per game. Over the past five games, they have only mustered a total of 11 runs. While Brent Rooker has displayed some offensive prowess, boasting a slash line of .255/.356/.491 along with 13 home runs and 106 total bases, and Ryan Noda has contributed with a slash line of .245/.397/.422 and 86 total bases, the rest of the lineup has faltered. Only one batter has hit more than 10 home runs, and merely two batters possess an OPS+ above 100. As a result, opposing pitchers can easily neutralize the feeble lineup, further exacerbating the team’s struggles.
The A’s are determined to end their five-game losing streak, while the Guardians aim to rebound on their home turf and take control of the game. Drawing from their recent success of scoring 12 runs and consistently bringing in runs against the A’s pitchers, including Luis Medina, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and the rest of the lineup, the Guardians anticipate making solid contact and effortlessly advancing baserunners. Their objective is to contain the A’s lineup, which typically only manages to score an average of 3.54 runs per game. Aaron Civale’s strong pitching performance is expected to provide multiple solid innings, allowing the bullpen to comfortably secure a victory. With these factors in play, the Guardians are poised to secure a dominant win at home and cover the spread.
Our Pick: Guardians and the Moneyline
If you're a fan of Cleveland sports and want to stay up-to-date with the latest news, scores, and insights on your favorite teams, signing up for the Cleveland sports newsletter is a no-brainer.
Leave a Reply