- What: MLB Regular Season Game
- When: Thursday, August 1
- Who: Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Time: 3:40 p.m. ET
- Where: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
The Baltimore Orioles will kick off a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Progressive Field.
For the past month, the Orioles have been the top team in the American League, vying closely with the Guardians.
Baltimore Orioles
Remarkably, they have managed to keep the New York Yankees at bay, who have been hot on their heels. They aim to maintain their momentum with a potent batting order featuring one of the top prospects in baseball.
Jackson Holliday is returning to the big-league roster after a debut earlier this season. Though he struggled initially, he’s looking to make a stronger impact this time.
Gunnar Henderson, the leadoff hitter, has performed well against the Guardians, batting .318 with three home runs, nine RBIs, and 11 runs over 12 career games against them.
Looks good from every angle. pic.twitter.com/QCgFg4bc4q
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 1, 2024
Another key player is Adley Rutschman, who hit .565 with 13 hits, three RBIs, and five runs in six games against the Guardians last season.
Anthony Santander remains one of the lineup’s most powerful bats, hitting .268 with five home runs, 25 RBIs, and 12 runs over 30 games against the Guardians.
The Orioles are also set to unleash Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn, both of whom have shown the ability to hit for power.
Dean Kremer has struggled to deliver a quality start, with his last one dating back to May 5. He needs to find his form against a lineup capable of striking quickly.
After Kremer, the bullpen will take over, which has been inconsistent, ranking 14th in team ERA. Craig Kimbrel, the closer, holds a 6-3 record with a 3.46 ERA and 23 saves in 29 opportunities.
The Orioles will cover the spread if their top hitters can generate big innings and get off to a strong start. Additionally, Kremer must avoid significant trouble to give his team a solid chance.
Cleveland Guardians
Few expected the Guardians to be the best team in the American League at this point. Remarkably, they have consistently secured wins and made significant progress.
Their offense has been stellar, and they aim to keep swinging the bat effectively.
Steven Kwan is a reliable force at the top of the lineup, though he has struggled against the Orioles, batting just .210 with 13 hits, five RBIs, and eight runs over 15 games in his career against them.
Jose Ramirez remains one of the game’s best hitters and has excelled against Baltimore, hitting .300 with 57 hits, nine home runs, 28 RBIs, and 34 runs over 51 games.
Birds in town.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/3aDd1egyAP
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 1, 2024
Josh Naylor is another strong contributor, batting .250 with eight hits, one home run, 10 RBIs, and seven runs over 10 games.
Ben Lively has been inconsistent lately, achieving quality starts in only three of his last six outings.
He will need to contend with a tough Orioles lineup but has the advantage of handing the game over to the best bullpen in baseball. Emmanuel Clase remains an elite closer, with a 4-1 record, a 0.72 ERA, and 33 saves in 36 opportunities.
The Guardians will cover the spread if their top hitters continue to perform well. Additionally, they need Lively to step up and locate his pitches effectively.
Orioles-Guardians Best Bet
The Guardians won two out of three games against the Orioles in Baltimore in June and are aiming to continue their winning streak against the Orioles to maintain their top position.
The two teams split the four games played at Progressive Field last season.
Notably, the Orioles excel at covering the spread, boasting one of the best records in the majors, while the Guardians have an average record at best.
The Orioles have a strong 30-20 record against the run line on the road, whereas the Guardians are 22-26 at home against the run line.
Despite this, we anticipate a close game and predict that the Guardians will upset the Orioles.
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