The Cleveland Guardians face the Houston Astros with both teams looking to improve to start August out strong. The Guardians have a 53-54 record but despite playing .500 ball they are in second place in the American League Central Division. The Astros have a 60-47 record and have closed the gap on the Texas Rangers for first place in the American League West Division. For the upcoming game, the Guardians will turn to Tanner Bibee as their starting pitcher who has allowed only three runs in his last two starts while the Astros will turn to Ronel Blanco to start the game.
The Guardians are having a difficult year but their starting pitching has kept them competitive in the division. One of their better pitchers has been Tanner Bibee who is allowing only 33 runs in 89.2 innings pitched while tossing 91 strikeouts. Moreover, with a .357 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 6.1 Barrel Percentage, and a 3.46 expected ERA, opponents are making weak contact off the bat against Bibee and struggling to drive in runs.
Bibee has stepped up on the mound but the lineup has been awful this year, scoring only 4.15 runs per game. Jose Ramirez is slashing .292/.362/.509 with 18 home runs and 207 total bases while Josh Naylor and Steven Kwan have added 20 home runs and 346 total bases but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Only three batters have 10 home runs or more while only three have an OPS+ over 100 and opposing pitchers can eliminate the top-heavy lineup as a resul t.