Guardians (39-41) at Cubs (37-42) Game Preview | Friday 6/30 2:20 PM. EST.

June 30, 2023

Andy Billman

Game 1 of 3 Against the Chicago Cubs

3 Things Preview Guardians at Cubs:

1 – Logan Allen back to Triple-A

Logan Allen has been sent back to triple-a.  The Guardians have decided not to have a six-man rotation and instead go with a full bullpen.  Michael Kelly has been called back up, and Kelly has an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.00 in 2023. 

2 – Cal is back 

Cal Quantrill is on the bump making his return after missing most of June. Quantrill will be trying to get his first win since May 7th, when Quantrill was victorious over the Twins. 

3 – Clase 

A lot of frustration after the game from fans that Emmanuel Clase is not worthy of the closer role, but let’s point out that Clase is tied for the league in saves, and in yesterday’s loss against KC, it was the first time he gave up an earned run in the month of June.  

Guardians Notes

The Cleveland Guardians, as a team, have achieved 145 doubles and launched 53 baseballs out of the stadium. Their slugging percentage stands at .375, accompanied by 566 strikeouts and 242 walks. With an average of 4.0 runs per game, they currently rank 26th in baseball. Throughout the season, they have amassed 295 RBIs and 664 hits, maintaining a batting average of .248. Additionally, they have scored a total of 318 runs and hold a team on-base percentage of .313.

The Guardians’ strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.52, while their pitching staff boasts a WHIP of 1.26. So far, their pitchers have given up 78 home runs and 324 runs, ranking 8th in MLB. Opponents have recorded 650 hits against them, averaging 8.2 hits per 9 innings, resulting in 296 earned runs. The team’s earned run average for the season is 3.75, placing them 6th in MLB. Furthermore, they have struck out 620 batters and issued 246 walks, with a team FIP of 4.09.

In terms of the Guardians’ relievers, they have a save percentage of 65.9% and have appeared in 86 save situations. Throughout the season, they have inherited 88 baserunners, 20.5% of whom have scored. The team’s pitchers have entered the game with runners on base 68 times and have made 106 appearances in high-leverage situations. A total of 255 relievers have taken the mound, achieving 44 holds (13th in MLB). They have accumulated 27 saves but have missed 14 out of 41 save opportunities.

On defense, the Guardians have converted 70.6% of balls hit into play into outs over 6,390 innings, placing them 6th in professional baseball. They have recorded 2,130 putouts, 732 assists, and committed 39 errors. Their fielding rate is .987, ranking 12th in the majors, and they have completed 50 double plays.

Cal Quantrill, with a career win-loss record of 33-20, holds a FIP of 4.21. Throughout his major league career, he has faced 2,229 hitters, surrendering 508 hits (8.6 hits per 9 innings) and issuing 150 walks. His earned run average stands at 3.77 (222 earned runs allowed), accompanied by a WHIP of 1.241. Quantrill has pitched for a total of 530 innings, striking out 403 batters.

Guardians Stats and Insights

GUARDIANS PROBABLE PITCHER – Cal Quantrill

  • Quantrill makes the start for the Guardians, his 12th of the season. He is 2-4 with a 5.61 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings pitched.
  • His most recent time out was on Tuesday, May 30 against the Baltimore Orioles, when the righty went 4 1/3 innings, surrendering eight earned runs while giving up eight hits.
  • The 28-year-old has put up an ERA of 5.61, with 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 11 games this season. Opponents are hitting .271 against him.
  • Quantrill has five quality starts under his belt this season.
  • Quantrill will try to pick up his eighth outing of five or more innings pitched this season. He averages 5.4 innings per appearance.
  • He has had two appearances this season that he kept his opponents to zero earned runs.

GUARDIANS HITTING TRENDS

  • The Guardians are last in MLB action with 53 home runs.
  • This season, Cleveland has the fifth-lowest slugging percentage in the majors (.374).
  • The Guardians rank 17th in MLB with a .248 batting average.
  • Cleveland is the fourth-lowest scoring team in MLB action averaging 4.0 runs per game (321 total).
  • The Guardians are 22nd in MLB with an on-base percentage of .313.

Cubs Notes

The Chicago Cubs have shown impressive stats this season. They have hit a total of 87 home runs and achieved 346 RBIs. Additionally, they have recorded 116 doubles and received 290 walks, contributing to their total of 358 runs. The Cubs currently boast an on-base percentage of .328 and a team batting average of .248. Their slugging percentage stands at .400, and they average 4.59 runs per game, ranking 12th in baseball. However, they have been called out on strikes 718 times (10th in baseball) and have accumulated 651 hits.

On the pitching side, the Cubs possess a team WHIP of 1.266 and a FIP of 4.06 this year. They have an impressive K/BB ratio of 8.30, with 637 strikeouts compared to 245 walks. In terms of hits conceded, they rank 5th in the league, allowing a total of 625 hits. However, they have given up 77 home runs and conceded an average of 4.36 runs per 9 innings, placing them 13th in baseball. The Chicago pitching staff has surrendered 333 runs this season, resulting in a team ERA of 3.98 (304 earned runs).

When it comes to their relief pitchers, the Cubs have been effective in preventing inherited runners from scoring, with a rate of 30.0% out of 100 inherited runners. Their relievers have appeared in high leverage situations 55 times and 60 times with runners on base. Out of 52 save opportunities, the Cubs have recorded 35 holds and 6 blown saves. Their save percentage ranks 16th in the league at 62.5%, and they have deployed 240 relievers throughout the year. In 16 save opportunities, they have successfully converted 10 saves.

Defensively, the Chicago Cubs have executed 69 double plays and maintain a fielding percentage of .986, placing them 15th in professional baseball. They have accumulated 703 assists, committed 40 errors, and completed 2,061 putouts this season. Out of the 6,183 innings played, they have achieved a defensive efficiency of 69.8%, ranking 9th in baseball.

In Steele’s professional baseball career, he has given up 227 base hits and has recorded 255 strikeouts in 255 innings pitched. With a career record of 16-13, Steele holds an impressive ERA of 3.25, allowing an average of 8.0 hits per nine innings. He has conceded a total of 92 earned runs, maintaining a WHIP of 1.263 and a FIP of 3.6. Steele has a solid K/BB ratio of 2.68 and has faced 1,076 opposing batters throughout his career.

Cubs Stats and Insights

CUBS PROBABLE PITCHER – Justin Steele

  • Steele gets the start for the Cubs, his 15th of the season. He is 8-2 with a 2.62 ERA and 70 strikeouts through 79 2/3 innings pitched.
  • The left-hander’s most recent time out was on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he threw six innings, surrendering one earned run while giving up five hits.
  • The 27-year-old has put up a 2.62 ERA and 8 strikeouts per nine innings in 14 games this season while allowing a batting average of .228 to opposing hitters.
  • Steele heads into this game with nine quality starts under his belt this season.
  • Steele is aiming for his third straight appearance lasting five or more innings. He averages 5.6 innings per appearance on the hill.
  • In four of his appearances this season he did not allow an earned run.

CUBS HITTING TRENDS

  • The Cubs have hit 87 homers this season, which ranks 18th in the league.
  • The offense for Chicago has a slugging percentage of .399 this season, 17th in MLB.
  • The Cubs’ .247 batting average ranks 18th in the league this season.
  • Chicago has scored 359 runs (4.5 per game) this season, which ranks 17th in MLB.
  • The Cubs have an on-base percentage of .326 this season, which ranks 10th in the league.
  • Chicago ranks 22nd in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 9.2 whiffs per contest.

Final Thoughts/Pick

Our Pick: Take the Guardians and the Run Line at -1.5

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