Guardians vs Rangers Preview: Division Leaders Meet in Texas
Cleveland, Texas Look to Extend Division Leads
The Guardians vs Rangers preview highlights a three-game series between two teams leading their respective divisions at the All-Star break. The Guardians vs Rangers standings show Cleveland is just 45-45 but holds a half-game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Texas holds a two-game lead over Houston in the AL West.
The Guardians are expected to send Aaron Civale to the mound. The Rangers haven’t named their pitchers for the series. Jon Gray is a possibility here, as it would be his turn in the rotation. Cleveland is 5-4 in the games Civale has started this MLB season. The Rangers are -1.5 (+140) and the total on the game is 8.5 (-105/+115). The Rangers are -145 on the moneyline. UPDATE: Gray has been given the nod in game 1.
The Guardians can pitch. The team’s problem this season is offense. Cleveland doesn’t generate many runs, ranking No. 27 in MLB in scoring. The Guardians are hitting .250 as a team, which is No. 15 in the league, but Cleveland is a distant last in home runs with 60. No other team has fewer than 78 home runs on the year.
Cleveland doesn’t hit for a high enough average to string together two or three hits very often and as a result, the Guardians don’t score that much.
Scoring isn’t a problem for the Rangers, who lead Major League Baseball with 531 runs. Texas’ Adolis Garcia is one of the MLB stat leaders in RBI, leading the league with 75. Jonah Heim is No. 13 in the league with 59 RBI, while Josh Jung and Marcus Semien both have 56, which puts them tied at No. 18.
With the hitters having the last four days offs off due to the All-Star break it could take a couple of at bats before they start to get their timing back. The Guardians allow 3.0 runs when Civale starts, so the under could be worth a look in this one.
Saturday’s Game
The Guardians vs Rangers preview shows Cleveland is expected to start Gavin Williams in this spot, with Texas to name its starter later. Williams has a 1-1 record with a 4.01 ERA in four starts this season. He’s allowed three or four runs in three of his four starts. He pitched seven innings of one-hit ball against Kansas City in the other.
Nathan Eovaldi could get the start for the Rangers if they resume their rotation before the All-Star break. The MLB predictions would have the Rangers as good-sized favorites if Eovaldi does take the mound in this one. The Rangers are 10-8 when Eovaldi starts.
Sunday’s Game
The Guardians vs Rangers preview has Tanner Bibee as the starter for the Guardians. He’s quietly put together a solid season. Bibee is 5-2 with a 3.34 ERA. The Guardians’ bullpen has let him down a few times and Cleveland is 7-6 in the games he has started this season. He has been a better pitcher at home this season, with Cleveland just going 2-4 in his road starts this season.
The Rangers could go with Andrew Heaney in this spot but Cody Bradford followed Eovaldi right before the All-Star break. Both are left-handers and the Guardians score a little more against southpaws. The over could be worth a look in the series finale.
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