Cleveland Guardians (48-47) vs. Boston Red Sox (49-48)
Wednesday will see the continuation of a four-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Boston Red Sox, two teams who are battling to get into one of those final wildcard spots in the American League. Boston earned the victory in the first game of the series, winning 3-1 on Monday. This preview was written prior to the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game.
Entering Tuesday’s action, Cleveland finds themselves 3.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central lead and are 3.0 games out of the wildcard chase, tied with the Red Sox. They are 5-5 in their last 10 but have lost their last three entering Tuesday’s game.
The Red Sox were in a funk, going 1-9 leading in their last 10 games entering the series. That dropped them 3.0 games behind Seattle for the final wildcard spot in the AL. Boston enters as the favorite at -135 with the line set for Cleveland at +115. Boston has won four straight games against Cleveland and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
The Cleveland Guardians left nine men on base and went 1-7 with runners in scoring position, falling to the Boston Red Sox on Monday, 3-1. Zach Plesac allowed three runs in 5.0 innings, then the Guardians bullpen was spectacular, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings. However, the team could muster just one run.
Not fun.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/5lEiNxheXV
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 26, 2022
The Guardians offense has been solid the season, 16th in runs per game (4.44), but it has been a complete lack of power that has stopped this team from making a big run. Cleveland has hit just 74 home runs, 29th overall, and they are 19th in runs scored (414). They have been a little bit better in July offensively, hitting 18 home runs and batting .272 in 22 games.
Cleveland starts right-hander Cal Quantrill, who is 7-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 18 starts. Quantrill began the month with two tough outings, allowing 10 total runs in his first 10.0 innings, but he has been great over the last two, allowing two total runs in 11.0 innings. The right-hander faced the Red Sox once the season already, allowing two runs in 5.0 innings back on June 24. Quantrill is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against Boston.