Stop me if you’ve heard this one – the Guardians are about to play a team that has a worse record than they do that is better than they are on paper.
The Guardians are 63-60 with a -34 run differential, 27th in team wRC+ at 88, tenth in baserunning runs above average at 5, seventh in Defense at -0.5, 24th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.42, and third in bullpen FIP at 3.63.
The Diamondbacks are 60-65 with a +5 run differential, fourth in team wRC+ at 111, eighth in basreunning runs above average at 5.3,
15th in Defense at -5.9, 20th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.26, and 25th in bullpen FIP at 4.37.
Get into the bullpen early and take advantage of the scoring opportunities they give you. Score early and score often to beat this offense.
MATCHUPS:
Game One, Monday, 9:40PM EDT: Gavin Williams, RHP 4.58 FIP TBD (Probably Zac Gallen, RHP 4.63 FIP)
Game Two, Tuesday, 9:40PM EDT: Tanner Bibee, RHP 4.49 FIP vs. TBD (Probably Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP 4.66 FIP)
Game Three, Wednesday, 3:40PM EDT: TBD (Probably Kolby Allard, LHP, 3.83 FIP or Parker Messick, LHP, 3.68 FIP in Columbus) vs. TBD (Probably Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, 4.45 FIP)
The Guardians are led by Jose Ramirez 137 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo 121 wRC+ and Steven Kwan at 107 wRC+.
The Diamondbacks are led by Ketel Marte 162 wRC+, Corbin Carroll 137 wRC+, Geraldo Perdomo 132 wRC+, Blaze Alexander 111 wRC+, and James McCann 109 wRC+.
The Guardians can certainly win this series, and, if they hope to hang on to slim playoff hopes, they need to find a way to do so.
