Best Picks for Athletics vs. Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians will host the Athletics, with the first pitch from Progressive Field scheduled for 4:10 p.m. PST.

This pivotal three-game series begins with JP Sears taking the mound for the A’s, while Slade Cecconi starts for the Guardians.

The Athletics’ struggles set the stage for this series. After a steady start, their slump since May 15th—posting MLB’s third-worst record at 19-36—has been driven mainly by pitching woes. 

The A’s have surrendered an American League-worst 5.62 runs per game, a stat compounded by pitching at Sacramento’s hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park.

Pitching Matchup

Turning to Sears, he’s been among the pitchers most impacted by the move to Sacramento. His 4.14 road ERA sharply contrasts with his 5.61 home mark, putting him in a better spot tonight against Cleveland’s light-hitting offense.

The Guardians average just 3.72 runs per game, the fifth-lowest in baseball, and only Jose Ramirez (136), Steven Kwan (110), and Kyle Manzardo (104) boast a wRC+ over 100. When these teams last met in June, Sears delivered five innings of three-run ball. 

The Guardians continue to struggle against lefties, sporting MLB’s second-lowest batting average in those matchups (.217).

On the other side, Slade Cecconi brings plenty of momentum to the mound for Cleveland. Since June 1, the right-hander has posted a 2.72 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, and he’ll try to extend that streak against an Athletics lineup led by All-Stars Brent Rooker and Jacob Wilson.

While the A’s offense offers some pop, it ranks only 21st in road runs per game (4.02). Notably, Cecconi dominated the A’s during their last meeting on June 22 with seven shutout innings.

Given these factors, the Athletics can be dangerous, especially vs. lefties like Sears. However, Cleveland’s edge is clear with Cecconi pitching at such a high level.

Moreover, the Guardians’ offense has caught fire, outscoring all but four teams over the past seven games. Considering these points, Cleveland is the pick for a home win on Friday.