Many Guardians fans, and rightly so, are very excited anytime rookie Gavin Williams is on the mound. Get ready to get gaga, Williams will be on the bump making his 4th start and looking for his first-ever MLB victory.
It was announced on Friday that Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase will be missing the All-Star game as he will be heading back to the Dominican Republic to be with his significant other, who is expecting a child.
Josh Bell loves playing the Kansas City Royals. Bell has an average above .400 with four home runs and 13 RBIs (stats courtesy of Cleveland.com) including Bell’s 2-run blast last night.
It seems like the Guardians are in a good position to take advantage of their matchup against the Royals. The AL Central division is perceived as one of baseball’s weakest divisions, and the Guardians have been performing well lately with a 6-4 record in their last ten games. While home-field advantage might not play a significant role in this particular game, the Guardians have historically had success in the rivalry against the Royals, which could provide them with added confidence and momentum.
Pitcher Gavin Williams will be taking the mound for the Guardians for the second time in a week against the Royals. In his previous outing, he had an impressive performance, pitching seven innings and allowing only one hit and no runs. However, his performances have been inconsistent in his recent starts, with a couple of games where he allowed four runs. It remains to be seen which version of Williams will show up for this game, but given the relatively quiet performance of the Royals’ lineup lately, it’s likely that he will have a similar outing to his previous meeting with them.
When it comes to offense, the Guardians have been slightly better than the Royals recently, with a higher batting average and a comparable on-base percentage. While José Ramírez has struggled with a .192 average over the last week, he is still considered one of the most feared hitters in the American League. Additionally, the middle infielders have gained confidence in their performance. The Guardians’ offensive depth should come into play in this game, especially against the Royals’ pitcher Singer, who has had inconsistent performances throughout the season.
Overall, considering the Guardians’ recent success, their historical dominance in the rivalry, and the offensive advantages they hold, they appear to have a favorable position going into the game against the Royals.
The Royals find themselves in a tough spot, as they currently hold one of the worst records in baseball. Their upcoming road game against a division-leading team doesn’t bode well for their chances of turning things around. With a 3-7 record in their last ten games and a combination of injuries and poor performance plaguing the team, it’s hard to envision a quick reversal of fortune. Their struggles away from home are evident with a dismal 12-32 record, and their recent history against the Guardians doesn’t inspire confidence or momentum. As the All-Star break approaches, a victory on Saturday would be a welcome boost, but it may be too much to ask from this struggling team.
Taking the mound for the Royals will be Brady Singer, a young pitcher who is gradually finding his rhythm. Throughout the season, Singer has struggled, evident in his underwhelming 5-7 record and 5.52 ERA. However, in his last two starts, he has shown signs of improvement, pitching a combined 13 innings and surrendering only one run and eight hits. Notably, he delivered an impressive performance against Cleveland last week, pitching six scoreless innings. If Singer can replicate that level of play, the Royals would have a strong chance of causing an upset.
Strong pitching will be crucial for the Royals, especially considering their offensive struggles. While Bobby Witt Jr. has shown promise as an everyday shortstop, the rest of the lineup lacks consistency. Although the Guardians’ pitching staff may not be overly formidable, the Royals’ lineup is likely to face difficulties on Saturday. A solid start from Singer would be essential in boosting their confidence, but even that might not be sufficient to keep up with the competition on the road.
The Guardians are poised to secure the victory in this matchup, and although playing at home is an advantage, it will be their superior pitching that ultimately seals the deal. Williams showcased his electrifying skills against the Royals just last week, and considering their ongoing struggles in recent games, it’s unlikely they will find a solution in this particular contest. Furthermore, Singer’s inconsistent performance throughout the season poses a potential problem for the Royals, especially when facing the formidable lineup of the Cleveland team. The Guardians have an impressive record of 6-1 in their last seven games against AL Central rivals, and they have dominated the matchup against the Royals with a record of 46-21 in their last 67 encounters.
Our Pick: Take Guardians -1.5 Runs
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