The Cleveland Guardians and the Oakland Athletics meet Saturday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend series. On Friday in the opener, the Guardians powered out a one-run comeback victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland didn’t have any luck versus the Angels this week, getting swept in four games. In the Friday opener versus Oakland, the Guardians were down 8-5 heading into the seventh, then scored four runs in that frame on the way to a 9-8 comeback win. Starter Aaron Civale lasted 4.0 innings with six earned on seven hits and a walk.
Starter for Cleveland on Saturday will be Shane Bieber. Over four starts this year Bieber is 1-1 with a 2.82 ERA. In 22.1 innings of work Bieber has 15 hits, seven earned, five walks and 22 Ks. He’s a career 3.27-ERA pitcher with a 42-19 record overall.
Over on the A’s side, they played a pair versus the Giants this week, losing Tuesday and winning 1-0 on Wednesday. In the Friday game, Oakland at least had a good offensive night with 10 team hits. Frankie Montas put up 5.0 frames with five earned on five hits and four walks.
Starter for the A’s on Saturday will be Cole Irvin. This year Irvin is 2-1 over four starts with a 3.32 ERA. In 21.2 innings Irvin has 19 hits with eight earned, five walks and 14 Ks. Over his career, Irvin is 14-18 with a 4.62 ERA.
The Guardians are 2-6 in their last eight in game two of a series and 1-5 in their last six versus a lefty starter. The over is 5-0 in Cleveland’s last five in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the A’s are 79-27 in their last 106 versus the AL Central and 4-10 in their last 14 in game two of a series. The under is 8-3 in the A’s last 11 in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to try the A’s in game two. We should have a pretty decent starter matchup here regardless, though. Irvin has put up four earned in 16.1 innings on 12 hits and four walks over his last three outings. As for Bieber, he’s given up four earned on 11 hits and two walks in 12.1 innings in his last pair. I like both starters to do well in a close game, with Oakland powering out a win late. Should be another fun one.