The Guardians and Red Sox begin a three-game series today, Labor Day. Let’s see how the two teams match-up!
The Guardians are 68-67 with a -55 run differential, 28th in wRC+ at 84, 9th in baserunning runs above average at 5.8, sixth in Defense at 5.9, 23rd in starting pitcher FIP at 4.47, and fourth in bullpen FIP at 3.65.
The Red Sox are 76-62 with a +104 run differential, 12th in wRC+ at 104, 7th in baserunning runs above average at 6, fifth in Defense at 6.9, 14th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.18,
and fifth in bullper FIP at 3.72.
To be honest, the Red Sox remind me of what the Guardians SHOULD be if they’d spend some money and be just a little better at developing hitters. So, I’m sure watching them beat Cleveland will be quite frustrating.
MATCHUPS:
Game One, Monday, 1:35PM EDT: Parker Messick, LHP, 1.59 FIP vs. Brayan Bello, RHP, 4.09 FIP
Game Two, Tuesday, 6:45PM EDT: TBD (Probably Slade Cecconi, RHP, 4.90 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet, LHP 2.63 FIP
Game Three, Wednesday, 6:45PM EDT: TBD (Probably Logan Allen, LHP, 4.69 FIP) vs. TBD (Probably Kyle Harrison, LHP, 4.35 FIP)
Oh, two lefties. Joy.
Jose Ramirez at 132 wRC+ and Kyle Manzardo at 115 wRC+ are the only Guardians over 100 wRC+ right now. For the Red Sox, you’ve gotta watch out for Roman Anthony at 141 wRC+, Alex Bregman 136 wRC+, Nathaniel Lowe 132 wRC+, Rob Refsnyder 130 wRC+, Romy Gonzalez 123 wRC+ and Jarren Duran 110 wRC+.
I don’t know, folks. It’ll be fun to see if Messick can keep it up, if Cecconi has righted the ship and if Jose can pull out of his slump this week. And, of course, to see George Valera hopefully make his major league debut. That’s enough for me. Appreciate Guardians baseball while we have it.
