Cleveland Guardians vs Seattle Mariners Picks and Predictions June 20th 2024

Mariners, Guardians Square Off in Series Decider

It can sometimes be easier to overcome lopsided losses. The meeting Seattle Mariners unquestionably trust that is the case Thursday evening when they wrap up a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians. The Sailors had a four-game series of wins snapped with a 8-0 loss against the Guardians on Wednesday.

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Mariners Look to Bounce Back

“We’ve got to forget about (the loss),” Seattle manager Scott Servais said after he and shortstop J.P. Crawford were kicked out of the game in the middle of the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Doug Eddings. We will appear (Thursday) with an opportunity to win a series against a decent group here, and we’re positively equipped for doing that.”

Guardians’ Strong Performance

For Cleveland, Josh Naylor hit two home runs, surpassing Jose Ramirez’s 19 for the team lead. Steven Kwan also hit a home run, and Tanner Bibee and three relievers combined for a game with three hits. The Guardians, who are driving the American Association Focal, finished a three-game long string of failures by giving the AL West-driving Mariners just their second misfortune in 10 games.

Impressive Effort by Tanner Bibee

“This is super fun,” Bibee said. “The culture of us wanting to win, I think with our work ethic, is just meshing into something really special.” Kwan went 2-for-3 to raise his batting average to .397 and extend his on-base streak to 24 games and stretch his hitting streak to 13 games. He’s 16 plate appearances shy of qualifying for the league leadership. His homer ricocheted high off the foul pole in right field.

“Kwanny doesn’t try to hit for power, but when it’s in his damage zone, he’s getting the barrel to it,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Showing power is making him a complete hitter.”

Bibee struck out a career-high 12 in six innings, bettering the 11 he had last week in Cincinnati. “I’m not making excuses; I mean, (Bibee) had his best stuff out there … he pitched very well,” Crawford said. “But when at-bats (are) taken out of your hands … it makes it hard. It’s very frustrating.”

Scott Servais on Bibee’s Performance

Added Servais: “You could feel the (unhappiness) building in the dugout because those are balls. But you have to give Bibee credit. He’s got a really good fastball, his breaking ball is legit and he commands it. He’s really good.”

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Previous Games Recap

Neither of the first two games of the series was especially close. The Mariners built a six-run lead through 5 1/2 innings on Tuesday en route to an 8-5 victory.

Pitching Matchup for the Series Finale

Luis Castillo’s Track Record

The Mariners are scheduled to send right-hander Luis Castillo (6-7, 3.32 ERA) to the mound on Thursday against Guardians lefty Logan Allen (7-3, 5.30 ERA). Castillo is coming off a 3-2 win on Friday against the visiting Texas Rangers in which he limited the defending World Series champions to two runs on four hits over six innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. Castillo hasn’t fared well in his career against Cleveland, going 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA in eight starts. On April 2 in Seattle, he gave up four runs on a season-high 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings during a 5-2 defeat against the Guardians.

Logan Allen’s Recent Performance

On Friday at Toronto, Allen gave up one run on three hits in a 3-1 win, pitching for five innings. Allen had previously faced the Mariners once, pitching 6 2/3 innings without conceding a run. He gave up four hits, three walks, and had six strikeouts in an 8-0 win on April 3 in Seattle.

Conclusion

As the Mariners and Guardians get ready for the series decider, the two groups are anxious to get the series win and gather speed. With solid pitching exhibitions anticipated from Luis Castillo and Logan Allen, the game vows to be a thrilling and exciting end to the series. The Mariners will hope to return from Wednesday’s loss, while the Guardians plan to proceed with their triumphant ways and set their situation at the highest point of the AL Central.