Cleveland Guardians vs Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

D-backs get Eduardo Rodriguez back for meeting with Guardians

Wednesday’s interleague matchup between the Diamondbacks and Guardians gets started at 1:10 PM ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Guardians are the slight money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -101 compared to the Diamondbacks at -118. The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs.

Brandon Pfaadt is starting for the Diamondbacks, and he is facing off against Ben Lively for the Guardians. Arizona is currently on a two-game winning streak, and they are 3rd in the NL West, while the Guardians are 1st in the AL Central with a record of 67-45.

Arizona vs. Cleveland Key Information

• Teams: Diamondbacks at Guardians
• Where: Progressive Field Cleveland
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds ARI -118 | CLE -101 O/U 7.5

The Diamondbacks Can Win If…

Through 22 starts, Brandon Pfaadt has a record of 5-6 and an ERA of 3.98 for the Diamondbacks. He has made 11 quality starts this year and is coming off an outing in which he allowed three earned runs in five innings of work. In that outing, he gave up one homer. Pfaadt’s ERA for the season is 4.43 on the road, compared to 3.53 at home. Looking back at his last four outings, he has finished with a no-decision in three of them. Pfaadt has been able to keep the ball in the park lately, as he has given up just one homer in his last three outings.

Arizona comes into the game as one of the league’s top offensive teams, averaging 5.2 runs per game, which is 2nd in the MLB. They have been even better at home, also averaging 5.2 runs per contest. The Diamondbacks are also near the top of the league in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Ketel Marte and Christian Walker have been the team’s top power threats, with Marte’s 28 homers leading the team and Walker coming in with 23.

Over his last five games, Marte has gone 6/23 with four homers and six RBIs. He is also on a seven-game hitting streak. For the season, Marte is batting .300 and has driven in 78 runs. Walker comes into the game with a batting average of .254 and has gone deep 23 times this season.

• The Diamondbacks are 8-2 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Diamondbacks are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Arizona has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Diamondbacks have an average of 5.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Diamondbacks are 7-3
• Looking back across the Diamondbacks last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Arizona has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Diamondbacks have averaged 5.1 runs per game on offense

The Guardians Can Win If…

Ben Lively gets the start for the Guardians today and is coming off a solid outing vs. the Orioles. In that August 1st start, he went 6 innings, picking up the win, and gave up just 2 earned runs. Looking back further, Lively has turned in a quality start in seven of his 19 outings this year. Overall, he is 10-6 with a 3.42 ERA. Lively’s WHIP for the season is 1.15, and opponents are batting .226 vs. the right-hander this year. For the season, he has allowed 17 home runs and is averaging 7.69 strikeouts per nine innings.

Jose Ramirez has been red hot for the Guardians, going 14/37 with five homers over his last 10 games. This has helped him move into the top spot in terms of RBIs for the season, as he has 94 and is also 2nd in the league. His 29 homers are 4th in the MLB. Josh Naylor is also having a good season at the plate, with 24 homers and a batting average of .247.

As a team, the Guardians are averaging 4.7 runs per game and have been slightly better at home, where they are 5th in the league at 4.9 runs per contest. Overall, they are 12th in home runs and have the league’s 13th best batting average. So far, they have been very good at avoiding strikeouts, but are just 19th in the league in walks.

• The Guardians are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Guardians are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Cleveland has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Guardians have an average of 6.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Guardians are 5-5
• Looking back across the Guardians last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Cleveland has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Guardians have averaged 2.9 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s matchup between the Diamondbacks and Guardians has the 3rd highest combined run projection and 3rd highest combined hits projection. Our lean would be to take the over. As for a winner, we are leaning towards the Guardians to come out on top. Cleveland starter Ben Lively has the 8th best innings pitched projection among today’s starters, while Brandon Pfaadt has the 3rd worst strikeout projection among today’s starters.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez set to make his much-anticipated season debut. Rodriguez, who joined the Diamondbacks as a free agent in December 2023, has been sidelined due to a shoulder strain but is eager to return to the mound. His comeback comes at a crucial time for the Diamondbacks, who are riding a hot streak, while the Guardians are looking to bounce back from recent struggles.

Eduardo Rodriguez: The Diamondbacks’ New Ace

A Promising Start

Eduardo Rodriguez enters his ninth Major League Baseball (MLB) season with high expectations. After signing a four-year, $80 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he aims to prove his worth as a reliable ace. Last season, Rodriguez boasted an impressive 13-9 record with a 3.30 ERA for the Detroit Tigers, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure.

A Determined Comeback

Rodriguez’s journey back from injury has been challenging, but his determination is unwavering. “It’s frustrating every time someone else is up there in your spot when you’re supposed to be out there pitching,” Rodriguez said. “I want to go out there and show what I can do. I want to help the team.”

History with the Guardians

Facing the Cleveland Guardians is an ideal opportunity for Rodriguez to make his comeback, given his strong track record against them. He holds a remarkable 6-0 record with a 2.28 ERA in eight career starts against Cleveland, suggesting he could be the key to another Diamondbacks victory.

Arizona Diamondbacks: A Team on the Rise

Recent Success

The Diamondbacks are experiencing a resurgence, with a 22-9 record since June 29. Their recent 7-6 victory over the Guardians in a 10-inning thriller showcased their offensive prowess and resilience. Joc Pederson’s pinch-hit, two-run homer and Eugenio Suarez’s game-winning sacrifice fly were crucial to the win.

Power Hitting Lineup

Arizona’s lineup is firing on all cylinders, with Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno delivering back-to-back solo home runs to kick off the game. The Diamondbacks’ ability to score runs consistently has been a driving force behind their recent success, positioning them as formidable contenders in the league.

Cleveland Guardians: Seeking Redemption

Recent Struggles

While the Guardians enjoyed a five-game winning streak earlier, they have since stumbled, losing three consecutive games. Despite the team’s struggles, individual performances, such as Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez, remain bright spots.

Key Players Stepping Up

Jose Ramirez has been exceptional, batting .424 with five home runs and 12 RBIs over his last nine games. Meanwhile, Andres Gimenez is riding a 10-game hitting streak, boasting a .368 average. Their contributions are vital as the Guardians strive to regain momentum.

Pitching Challenge

Cleveland will rely on right-hander Ben Lively, who has shown promise this season with a 10-6 record and a 3.42 ERA. However, he faces a daunting challenge against the Diamondbacks, having struggled with a 7.50 ERA in previous outings against Arizona.

Weather Woes and Schedule Adjustments

Game Postponement

Tuesday’s game between the Diamondbacks and Guardians was postponed due to inclement weather, resulting in a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday. The rainout has altered the pitching matchups, adding an extra layer of complexity to the series.

Revised Matchups

In the first game of the doubleheader, Lively will face Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt, who holds a 5-6 record with a 3.97 ERA. Eduardo Rodriguez will then make his season debut against Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco in the second game, adding excitement to the day’s action.

Conclusion

The upcoming matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cleveland Guardians is filled with intrigue as Eduardo Rodriguez returns to the mound. The Diamondbacks are poised to continue their hot streak, while the Guardians aim to reverse their recent fortunes. As the MLB season unfolds, this series promises to deliver thrilling moments and highlight the dynamic nature of baseball competition.

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