The Guardians welcome one of the few teams they will see post-All-Star break who enter the schedule with a record better than .500 in the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates are 50-47 with a +44 run differential, second in team wRC+ at 111, second in baserunning runs above average at 6.3, 26th in Defense at -27.5, 11th in starting pitcher ERA at 4.20 (3.72 FIP),
The Guardians are 51-46 with a -2 run differential, 23rd in team wRC+ at 92, seventh in baserunning runs above average at 5.2, ninth in Defense
at -2.6, seventh in starting pitcher ERA at 3.69 (4.04 FIP), and eighth in bullpen ERA at 3.74 (3.85 FIP).
The Pirates are good at everything… except defense. They are horrific at defense. So, please, Guardians, put the ball in play.
Matchups:
Game One, Friday Gavin Williams, RHP 3.81 ERA (3.74 FIP) vs. Jared Jones, RHP 4.37 ERA (3.67 FIP)
Game Two, Saturday Joey Cantillo, LHP 3.56 ERA (4.08 FIP) vs. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP 3.49 ERA (3.32 FIP)
Game Three, Sunday Tanner Bibee, RHP 3.90 (4.82 FIP) vs. Paul Skenes, RHP 3.57 ERA (2.88 FIP)
The Pirates are led by Esmeryn Valdez 186 wRC+, Bryan Reynolds 143 wRC+, Endy Rodriguez 138 wRC+, Ryan O’Hearn 128 wRC+, Brandon Lowe 115 wRC+, Nick Gonzalez 113 wRC+, Tyler Callihan 110 wRC+, and Jake Mangum 109 wRC+. Spencer Horwitz, Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin are on the IL.
The Guardians are led by Chase DeLauter 123 wRC+, Austin Hedges 116 wRC+, Brayan Rocchio 113 wRC+, and Travis Bazzana 103 wRC+.
Let’s get the second half started off with a series win!
