On the bump for the Guardians will be Tanner Bibee trying to get a win in Houston on Wednesday. Bibee was fantastic in July going 3-0 with an ERA of 1.78.
Josh Naylor was a late scratch on Tuesday due to right-side tightness. Naylor felt the same tightness on Monday, and after attempting batting practice decided to sit it out on Tuesday night.
Tyler Freeman left the game early on Tuesday as he fouled a pitch off of his leg in the top of the 4th. Freeman has also been battling a sore shoulder recently.
Despite facing a challenging year, the Guardians have managed to stay competitive in their division thanks to their resilient starting pitching. Among their standout pitchers, Tanner Bibee has truly shined, surrendering a mere 33 runs across 89.2 innings pitched and striking out an impressive 91 batters. Notably, Bibee has held opponents to a meager .357 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, coupled with a 6.1 Barrel Percentage and a projected 3.46 ERA, making it a struggle for opponents to generate impactful hits against him and bring in runs.
Bibee’s exceptional performances on the mound have been a bright spot, however, the team’s offensive lineup has faced significant challenges this season, averaging only 4.15 runs per game. While Jose Ramirez has showcased an impressive slash line of .292/.362/.509 alongside 18 home runs and 207 total bases, the contributions of Josh Naylor and Steven Kwan, who have combined for 20 home runs and 346 total bases, stand out. Regrettably, the remainder of the lineup has encountered difficulties. Merely three batters have managed to hit 10 or more home runs, with an additional three achieving an OPS+ over 100. This lopsided offensive distribution allows opposing pitchers to effectively neutralize the team’s top-heavy lineup.
The Astros are currently experiencing a successful season and are aiming to secure the top position in their division in the upcoming weeks. Ronel Blanco has displayed moments of excellence on the pitching mound, boasting a 34.4% Hard-hit Percentage and a 24.1% Strikeout Percentage. However, he has encountered challenges this year, conceding 27 runs across 46 innings pitched. Furthermore, opponents have managed to exploit Blanco’s vulnerabilities, evident in their .457 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 12.8% Barrel Percentage, and a projected 5.20 ERA. These statistics indicate that opponents have been effectively capitalizing on their hitting opportunities against Blanco, resulting in easy runs being scored.
Despite Blanco’s pitching struggles, the team’s batting lineup has risen to the occasion by averaging an impressive 4.79 runs per game. Yordan Alvarez has been a standout performer, boasting a slash line of .286/.395/.605, with 19 home runs and 133 total bases. Chas McCormick has also contributed significantly, with a slash line of .285/.372/.526, 13 home runs, and 120 total bases. The remaining members of the lineup have also demonstrated exceptional performance. Kyle Tucker holds a slash line of .301/.380/.510, accompanied by 18 home runs and 195 total bases. Notably, Yainer Diaz and Alex Bregman have collectively contributed 31 home runs and 287 total bases, enhancing the lineup’s depth and solidifying the Astros’ formidable offensive prowess. This combined effort makes it challenging for opposing teams to effectively halt the Astros’ offensive onslaught.
The Guardians are aiming to conclude this series on a positive note, while the Astros are determined to assert their dominance on their home turf. With an average of 4.79 runs per game, the Astros are expected to confidently drive in runs, leveraging the strong hitting abilities of players like Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman. Their lineup’s powerful contact should enable them to score runs effectively against the Guardians’ pitchers, securing runs with ease. Furthermore, pitcher Ronel Blanco’s impressive performance is anticipated to provide multiple strong innings, setting the stage for the bullpen to confidently seal the game with a comfortable lead. The Astros are favored to emerge victorious, delivering a commanding performance at home that should also cover the spread.
Our Pick: Astros and the run line -1.5
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