New York Yankees vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions August 21st 2024

Yankees try to rebound from disappointing loss vs. Guardians

Wednesday’s matchup between the Guardians and Yankees is set to get started at 7:05 PM ET from Yankee Stadium in New York. The Guardians are currently 1st in the AL Central with a record of 73-52, while the Yankees are 2nd in the AL East at 73-53.

New York is the heavy favorite on the money line, with the odds sitting at -160 compared to the Guardians at +136. The over/under line is currently at 8.5 runs, and BSGL will be televising this one.

Cleveland vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Guardians at Yankees
• Where: Yankee Stadium New York
• Date: Wednesday, August 21st
• Betting Odds NYY -160 | CLE +136 O/U 8.5

The Guardians Can Win If…

Joey Cantillo is making his third start of the season for the Cleveland Guardians, and he will be on the road against the Yankees. Cantillo has taken the loss in each of his first two starts, and in his most recent outing, he went 5 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 home runs.

For the season, the Guardians are averaging 4.6 runs per game, which is 13th in the league. They have been a better offensive team at home, averaging 4.9 runs per game (7th), compared to 4.3 runs per game on the road. As a team, the Guardians are batting .238, which is 15th in the league, and their team on-base percentage of .309 is also below average.

José Ramírez has been the team’s top power threat this season, as his 32 home runs are 6th in the league and the most on the team. He also has 101 RBIs, which is 2nd in the league. Over his last seven games, Jhonkensy Noel has three home runs and is batting .273. Will Brennan is also swinging a hot bat, going 7/23 in his last seven games.

• 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 3-5-2 in their last ten games.
• The Guardians have an average of 3.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Guardians are 5-5
• Looking back across the Guardians last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Cleveland has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Guardians have averaged 3.8 runs per game on offense

The Yankees Can Win If…

New York is sending Nestor Cortes to the mound today vs. the Guardians, and he has made 25 starts this year. Cortes’ overall record is 6-10, and he has an ERA of 4.20. So far, he has turned in 10 quality starts and is coming off a game in which he didn’t allow a run. In that outing vs. the White Sox, he went seven innings and got the win. Looking back over his last four starts, Cortes has finished with a decision in each outing. Opponents are batting .250 off Cortes this season, and his ERA at home is 3.57 compared to 5.84 on the road.

Heading into today’s game, the Yankees are not only the top-scoring team in the league at 5.1 runs per game, but they also have the league’s best on-base percentage and OPS. They have been especially good on the road this season, averaging 5.4 runs per contest. As a team, they are also 2nd in home runs and have the league’s top two home run hitters in Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Judge has been on a tear of late, hitting .375 over his last six games with three homers. For the season, he is batting .332 with 114 RBIs and 45 homers. Soto is also having a great season, hitting .299 with 35 homers and 88 RBIs.

• The Yankees are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Yankees are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• New York has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Yankees have an average of 4.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Yankees are 7-3
• Looking back across the Yankees last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• New York has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Yankees have averaged 5.6 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s matchup between the Yankees and Guardians has the lowest combined runs projection in the league, but with the line sitting at 8.5 runs, we are leaning towards taking the over. As for a straight-up pick, we are leaning towards the Yankees to come out on top. Nestor Cortes has the 6th best chance to pick up a win among today’s starters, and Joey Cantillo has the 2nd best strikeout projection among today’s starters.

The New York Yankees are looking to bounce back after a tough 9-5 extra-innings loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night. The defeat, which saw the Yankees squander numerous scoring opportunities, is part of a broader struggle for the team, which has been facing offensive woes in recent games. As they prepare for the middle game of this three-game series, the Yankees are eager to turn things around and capitalize on their chances.

Guardians Capitalize Late After Missed Opportunities

Tuesday’s game was a rollercoaster for both teams, but the Guardians emerged victorious after a six-run explosion in the 12th inning. Despite drawing an incredible 14 walks—a feat the team hadn’t achieved since 1979—Cleveland initially struggled to bring runners home, leaving 18 stranded in the first 11 innings. However, they found their rhythm in the 12th, with key hits from Lane Thomas, José Ramírez, and David Fry that finally broke the Yankees’ resistance.

Cleveland’s offensive breakout was crucial, given that they had been 6-10 in their previous 16 games. Their ability to grind out the win, despite early inefficiencies, underscores their determination as they maintain their position as leaders in the American League Central.

Yankees’ Offensive Struggles Continue

For the Yankees, the story was one of missed opportunities. Despite a strong start with back-to-back home runs by Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the first inning, the Yankees failed to convert their numerous chances into runs. They went a dismal 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position, leaving 12 men on base throughout the game.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed his frustration with the team’s recent offensive struggles, noting that while they started strong, the inability to cash in on opportunities has been a recurring issue. This has been evident not just in Tuesday’s game but also in their previous series against the Detroit Tigers.

Bullpen Fatigue Could Impact Yankees’ Next Game

Adding to the Yankees’ woes, rookie starter Luis Gil left the game early due to back tightness, forcing the Yankees to exhaust their entire bullpen. With eight pitchers already used, the Yankees may face a pitching dilemma in the upcoming game, which could put additional pressure on their relievers.

On the other side, the Guardians’ bullpen was impressive, delivering 6 2/3 innings of solid work, including two scoreless frames from closer Emmanuel Clase. This strong bullpen performance could give Cleveland a slight edge as they head into the next game.

Preview of the Next Matchup: Cantillo vs. Cortes

Wednesday night’s game will see the Guardians’ left-hander Joey Cantillo (0-2, 6.23 ERA) take the mound against the Yankees’ Nestor Cortes (6-10, 4.20 ERA). Cantillo, making his first career appearance against the Yankees, is looking to bounce back from a loss to the Minnesota Twins, where he allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Although he has shown potential, his inexperience and high ERA could make him vulnerable against a potent Yankees lineup.

Nestor Cortes, meanwhile, will aim to build on his recent success. In his last outing, Cortes delivered seven scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox, marking his best performance since June. However, he has been inconsistent this season, with a previous no-decision against Cleveland in April where he allowed four runs over four innings. The Yankees will need Cortes to deliver another strong performance if they hope to avoid a series loss.

Key to Victory: Converting Opportunities

For both teams, the key to victory will be taking advantage of scoring opportunities. The Guardians will aim to build on their late-game heroics by getting on the board early and avoiding another high number of stranded runners. For the Yankees, the focus will be on improving their situational hitting and managing their bullpen effectively, especially given their heavy usage in the previous game.

As the Yankees and Guardians square off in the second game of the series, both teams will be looking to make critical adjustments. The Yankees are determined to rebound and reclaim momentum, while the Guardians hope to extend their lead in the AL Central by continuing to grind out tough wins.

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