Gavin Williams will make his MLB debut for the Guardians. Cleveland selected Williams out of East Carolina in the 1st round (23rd overall) in the 2021 MLB draft. In 2023, Williams has an ERA of 0.63 in 14 1/3 innings with Double-A Akron. In Triple-A Columbus, Williams had nine starts with a 2.93 ERA, 61 strikeouts in 46 innings.
After the Guardians win last night combined with the Twins loss to the Red Sox, Cleveland, and Minnesota are tied in the loss column both with 38 losses. The Guardians are still one game behind the Twins but have played two fewer games than Minnesota.
The Guardians have two players who are hitting in the clutch this season, Josh Naylor leads all of baseball with the most RBIs after the 7th inning with 24, and Amed Rosario is hitting 9 for 18 with runners on base with two outs.
The Guardians are currently experiencing a challenging season and are eager to embark on a winning streak to enhance their standing in the division. In order to achieve this, the team will be relying on Gavin Williams, one of their highly regarded pitching prospects who has yet to make his debut in the major leagues. The team is hopeful that his outstanding performance in the minor leagues, where he allowed only 16 runs in 46 innings pitched and struck out 61 batters, will translate into success at the major league level.
In addition to Williams’ anticipated strong debut, the Guardians are looking for improvements in their lineup. Currently, the team is averaging only 3.90 runs per game. Jose Ramirez has been a standout performer, boasting a slash line of .285/.349/.502 with 11 home runs and 137 total bases. Josh Naylor and Josh Bell have also contributed with 14 home runs and 189 total bases combined. However, the remaining members of the lineup have struggled to find their form. Only two batters have an OPS+ over 100, and as a result, opposing pitchers can effectively contain the lineup’s top-heavy nature.
The A’s are enduring a forgettable season, desperately seeking a turnaround to avoid ending the year with one of the worst records in baseball history. Despite their struggles, Paul Blackburn has emerged as a reliable force on the mound, making an impact in just four games. He has allowed a mere nine runs in 20.2 innings pitched while recording an impressive 23 strikeouts. Opponents are finding it challenging to make solid contact and drive in runs against Blackburn, evidenced by his .220 expected opponent Batting Average, .360 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, and a promising 3.16 expected ERA.
However, the A’s have been let down by their lineup throughout the season. They are averaging a meager 3.54 runs per game, including a paltry 13 runs in their last six outings. Brent Rooker has been a bright spot, slashing .255/.356/.491 with 13 home runs and 106 total bases. Shea Langeliers and Ryan Noda have also contributed with 15 home runs and 165 total bases combined. Unfortunately, the remainder of the lineup has struggled, with only two batters posting an OPS+ over 100. Opposing pitchers find it relatively easy to neutralize the feeble A’s lineup.
The A’s have faced difficulties throughout the season, but Paul Blackburn stands out as one of their stronger starting pitchers, and they expect him to shine in this game. With Brent Rooker, Ryan Noda, and the rest of the lineup consistently making solid contact and hitting the ball with power, the A’s should be able to consistently bring baserunners across home plate against the Guardians’ pitching staff. Moreover, the A’s should be able to contain the Guardians’ lineup, which typically averages a mere 3.90 runs per game. Paul Blackburn will step up and deliver multiple scoreless innings, allowing the bullpen to secure the victory. Despite being underdogs on the road, the A’s are poised to win the game and offer favorable odds in the process. While excited to see what Gavin Williams starts today A’s have a good chance to stay in this game and win.
Our Pick: A’s and the Moneyline (+145)
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