Two teams fighting to move up into a playoff position will meet on Tuesday for the second contest in a four-game series when the Boston Red Sox host the Cleveland Guardians. The Red Sox swept the Guardians in Cleveland when these two teams met June 24-26. Monday's series opener had not yet started at the time of this prediction, and the starting pitching matchup was also not yet available.
The Cleveland Guardians opened up the second half of the season by splitting a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox. Heading into Fenway Park, Cleveland is three games behind the Twins for first in the AL Central and two games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. The Guardians roster is relatively healthy right now regarding their top players.
Frustrating day.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/PCw0XdAO0T
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 24, 2022
Cleveland is 16th in MLB scoring 4.4 runs per game, but the lineup lacks power, ranking 29th with 74 home runs. The pitching staff is 15th with a 3.90 ERA, and in the field, the club is 12th in defensive efficiency. Jose Ramirez leads the team with a 4.0 WAR, 19 home runs, 78 RBI, and is tied with Myles Straw for the club-best 13 stolen bases.
Heading into Monday, the Guardians are just 1-5 in their last six games played at Fenway Park and 3-9 in their last 12 road games overall.