Guardians (60-66) vs Dodgers (76-48) Match-Up Preview | 8/24 12:10 and Approx 3:10 PM EST

August 24, 2023

Andy Billman

Game 2 and Series Finale Against the Los Angeles Dodgers


3 Things Preview For Today’s Game:

1 – GM 1 Resumes 12:10p

Wednesday night’s game between the Guardians and Dodgers was suspended because of rain and will start where the game left off in the top of the third inning with the score at 3-1.

2 – GM 2

It will be a traditional doubleheader, so game two on Thursday will start after the conclusion of the first game, figuring thirty minutes in between.  Gavin Williams will be on the mound for the Guards for Game 2.   

3 – AL Central Standings 

The Twins just can’t put this division away, the Guardians have a chance after Thursday to close the game to three games with two wins and a Twins defeat to the Rangers. 


Guardians Notes

The Guardians are experiencing a challenging season and are aiming to reverse their fortunes in order to finish the year on a strong note and potentially make a push for the playoffs. While Gavin Williams has displayed promising moments on the pitcher’s mound with a 5.8 Barrel Percentage, he has faced difficulties this year, conceding 20 runs across 59.2 innings pitched. Moreover, with an expected opponent Batting Average of .241, a 9.8 Walk Rate, and an expected ERA of 4.18, opponents have been able to connect and construct effective plate appearances against Williams, leading to easy runs being scored.

Although Williams has encountered struggles, the Guardians’ lineup has also been a letdown this season, managing to average only 4.03 runs per game. Noteworthy performances include Jose Ramirez, who holds a batting line of .280/.352/.476 with 18 home runs and a total of 223 bases, as well as Steven Kwan, who boasts a slash line of .271/.341/.382 with 190 total bases. However, the remaining members of the lineup have encountered difficulties. Merely two active batters possess an OPS+ exceeding 100, allowing opposing pitchers to exploit the lineup’s vulnerabilities to their advantage.

Guardians Stats and Insights

GUARDIANS PROBABLE PITCHER – Gavin Williams

GUARDIANS HITTING TRENDS

  • The Guardians rank last in Major League Baseball with just 91 home runs as a team.
  • Cleveland has a team batting average of .249 this season, which ranks 17th among MLB teams.
  • The Guardians have an on-base percentage of .311 this season, which ranks 24th in the league.
  • Cleveland is the best at avoiding strikeouts in MLB this season with only 876 as a team.
  • In 64 games at home this season, they’ve hit 41 homers, an average of 0.6 per contest.
  • Cleveland has a team slugging percentage of .375 in home games this season with 179 extra-base hits.
  • In 64 home games this season, they have a batting average of .245 while averaging 8.0 base hits per contest.

Dodgers Notes

The Dodgers are in the midst of a highly successful season and are aiming to solidify the best record in the National League through a strong finish. Within the Dodgers’ prospect pool, Ryan Pepiot stands out as a top contender. Despite having participated in just one game this year, Pepiot’s initial performance was impressive, conceding merely one run across five innings and garnering five strikeouts. This has fostered optimism about his potential contribution to bolstering the team’s pitching rotation for the upcoming postseason.

As Pepiot gears up for his second start of the season, he faces the challenge of taking on an opposing lineup that has demonstrated exceptional prowess throughout the year. The team has maintained an average of 5.56 runs per game, and this figure has risen to 5.60 runs per game since August. Key players like Mookie Betts have been exceptional, with a batting line of .300/.397/.598, accompanied by 34 home runs and a total of 275 bases. Freddie Freeman has equally impressive stats, slashing .332/.410/.572, and contributing 23 home runs and 281 total bases.

However, the Dodgers’ offensive strength isn’t limited to just these stars. Will Smith boasts a batting line of .274/.371/.464, achieving 16 home runs and 166 total bases. Max Muncy and James Outman have further bolstered the lineup with an additional 44 home runs and 320 total bases, adding a layer of depth that makes the Dodgers a formidable force at the plate.

Dodgers Stats and Insights

DODGERS PROBABLE PITCHER – Ryan Pepiot

DODGERS HITTING TRENDS

  • The Dodgers average 1.6 home runs per game to rank second in baseball with 195 total home runs.
  • Los Angeles ranks 14th in MLB with a .251 batting average.
  • The Dodgers’ .337 on-base percentage is third-best in MLB.
  • Los Angeles’ 8.5 strikeouts per game rank 11th in baseball.
  • The Dodgers have hit 91 homers away from home this season (1.5 per game).
  • Los Angeles has a .445 slugging percentage and is averaging 3.7 extra-base hits per game on the road.
  • The team averages 8.6 hits per game and is batting .248 on the road this season.

Final Thoughts/Pick

The Guardians aim to conclude the series on a positive note, but they face a formidable Dodgers team that has excelled in all aspects of the game. The Dodgers, boasting an average of 5.56 runs per game, are poised to consistently bring in runs. With players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, alongside the rest of the lineup, they are anticipated to make solid contact and deliver powerful hits against the Guardians’ pitchers, leading to a steady accumulation of runs as they round the bases.

Conversely, the Dodgers should be able to contain the Guardians’ lineup, which typically scores an average of only 4.03 runs per game. Ryan Pepiot’s pitching performance is expected to include multiple scoreless innings, creating an opportunity for the bullpen to secure the game while maintaining the lead.

Overall, the Dodgers are favored to secure a commanding victory on the road, surpassing the spread and solidifying their dominance.

Our Pick: Take Dodgers and the Money Line -115

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