The Guardians are bad. The Rays are bad. Let’s play ball!
The Guardians are 64-65 with a -50 run differential, 28th in team wRC+ at 86, tenth in baserunning runs above average at 5.6, sixth in Defense at 1.2, 23rd in starting pitcher FIP at 4.47, and third in bullpen FIP at 3.64.
The Rays are 63-67 with a +33 run differential, 17th in team wRC+ at 98, second in baserunning runs above average at 10.2, 28th in Defense at 47.6, 23rd in starting pitcher FIP at 4.47, and eleventh in bullpen FIP at 3.97.
You know, the Rays’ numbers look worse on paper than their run differential belies. But, to be honest, I just don’t trust this Guardians’ offense to do anything against any kind of pitching right now, even though the Rays’ pitching is bad.
Matchups:
Game One, Monday, 6:40PM EDT: Ian Seymour, LHP, 3.71 FIP vs. Tanner Bibee, RHP, 4.50 FIP
Game Two, Tuesday, 6:40PM EDT: Shane Baz, RHP, 4.77 FIP vs. Parker Messick, LHP, 1.76 FIP
Game Three, Wednesday, 1:10PM EDT: Drew Rasmussen, RHP, 3.49 FIP vs. Slade Cecconi, RHP, 4.95 FIP
The Guardians are led by Jose Ramirez at 135 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo at 114 wRC+, and Steven Kwan at 101 wRC+. They should bring George Valera up to see if he can help. They won’t until September at the earliest.
The Rays are led by Jonathan Aranda at 143 wRC+ (on the injured list, currently), Junior Caminero at 122 wRC+, Brandon Lowe at 120 wRC+, and Yandy Diaz at 119 wRC+. It’s always nice to see two former Guardians’ leading another team in offensive categories.
I don’t know, guys. Looks like they have a good shot to win game two. The weather should be great. Let’s just appreciate that there is baseball here for another five weeks.
