The Guardians are trying to stay in the playoff race and look who should come to town but the leaders in the race for the third AL Wildcard, the Seattle Mariners.
The Guardians are 66-66 with a -55 run differential, 28th in team wRC+ at 84, 10th in baserunning runs above average at 5, sixth in Defense at 1.4, 23rd in starting pitcher FIP at 4.47, and fourth in bullpen FIP at 3.64.
The Mariners are 76-62 with a +25 run differential, seventh in team wRC+ at 109, 18th in baserunning runs above average
at -1.6, 25th in Defense at -36.6, 11th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.12, and 17th in bullpen FIP at 4.12.
One thing’s for sure, Josh Naylor will have a great series if this years’ experiences with former Guardians on other teams are any guide.
Matchups:
Game One, Friday, 7:10PM EDT: George Kirby, RHP, 3.39 FIP vs. Logan Allen, LHP, 4.60 FIP
Game Two, Saturday, 7:15PM EDT: Logan Gilbert, RHP, 3.15 FIP vs. Gavin Williams, RHP, 4.64 FIP
Game Three, Sunday, 1:40PM EDT: Bryce Miller, RHP, 5.22 FIP vs. Tanner Bibee, RHP, 4.65 FIP
If the Guardians hope to win this series, they will need their rotation’s grizzled vets – Allen, Williams and Bibee – to show up and pitch well.
The Guardians are led by Jose Ramirez 131 wRC+ and Kyle Manzardo 110 wRC+. Yes, that’s right, officially only two players over 100 wRC+ as hitters.
The Mariners are led by Cal Raleigh 158 wRC+, Eugenio Suarez 133 wRC+, Dominic Canzone 126 wRC+, Randy Arozarena 123 wRC+, Josh Naylor 122 wRC+, Julio Rodriguez 120 wRC+, Jorge Polanco 119 wRC+, and JP Crawford 110 wRC+.
