Last series before the break
The Cleveland Guardians come off a sweep of the Astros… after a ten-game losing streak… to play the worst team in the AL Central right before the All-Star break.
The Guardians are 43-48 with a -51 run differential, 26th in team wRC+ at 85, 13th in baserunning runs above average at 1.2, sixth in Defense at 6.2, 26th in starting pitcher SIERA at 4.37, and 13th in bullpen SIERA at 3.73.
The White Sox are 31-62 with a -92 run differential, 28th in team wRC+ at 80, 20th in baserunning runs above average at -2.8, 28th in Defense at -33.6, 29th in starting pitcher SIERA at 4.77, and 28th in bullpen SIERA at 4.73.
The White Sox are a bad baseball team. The Guardians need to put the ball in play on a bad defense and keep the pressure on their pitching staff early.
Matchups:
Game One, Thursday, 7:40PM EDT: Logan Allen, LHP 4.85 SIERA vs. Jonathan Cannon, RHP, 4.89 SIERA
Game Two, Friday, 8:10PM EDT: Gavin Williams, RHP, 4.58 SIERA vs. Shane Smith, RHP, 4.46 SIERA
Game Three, Saturday, 4:10PM EDT: Tanner Bibee, RHP 4.09 SIERA vs. Sean Burke, RHP, 5.10 SIERA
Game Four, Sunday, 2:10PM EDT: Joey Cantillo, LHP, 4.00 SIERA vs. Aaron Civale, RHP, 5.90 SIERA
I think the thing I’d most like to see here is Williams and Bibee end this first part of the season strong after a very inconsistent first 90 games. Bibee, especially, has been quite frustrating lately; let’s see him dominate a bad team.
The Guardians’ leaders in hitting are Jose Ramirez at 139 wRC+ and Steven Kwan at 114 wRC+. Kyle Manzardo has been out being with his mom as she gets a heart transplant (wishing her the best!). If he’s able to return, he’s at 99 wRC+ and Carlos Santana is 95 wRC+; no one else is close to 100 wRC+ at the moment.
The White Sox’ leaders in hitting are Mike Tauchman 136 wRC+, Kyle Teel 109 wRC+ and Edgar Quero 100 wRC+. Prospect Colson Montgomery just got called up and has put up a 149 wRC+ so far in a small sample size. The Guardians could call up their OWN top prospect and get a boost, too, I’m just saying.