The Cleveland Guardians are set to face off against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in an exciting AL Central matchup at Guaranteed Rate Field. The start time for this highly anticipated game is 6:40 p.m. CT.
Cleveland (81-62 SU, 71-72 RL, and 66-69-8 O/U) is yet to announce a definitive starting pitcher. However, it is reported that right-hander Ben Lively may take the mound. This seasoned pitcher holds a record of 11-9 with a 4.07 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 25 games this season.
On the other side, Chicago (33-111 SU, 58-86 RL, and 63-73-8 O/U) will feature right-hander Jonathan Cannon as their starter. The young pitcher, only 24 years old, has a record of 3-9, a 4.53 ERA, and a 1.39 WHIP over 19 appearances, 17 of which have been starts.
*This article was published prior to the conclusion of Monday’s game.
Guardians Struggling to Maintain Momentum
Cleveland has faced challenges since the All-Star Game, allowing teams like Minnesota and Kansas City to close the gap in the division standings. With a road record of 38-37 and a night game record of 49-41 this season, questions arise about their ability to fend off the advances of the Twins and Royals.
The Guardians currently sit at 17th in on-base percentage (.309) and 16th in OPS (.704). They have hit 164 home runs this season, placing them 13th in the league. On the pitching side, Cleveland boasts a 3.82 ERA (9th) and a 1.22 WHIP (7th), with a .233 opponent batting average (4th).
While the White Sox have yet to confirm their starter for Tuesday, Lively is expected to take the mound. He has struggled in recent outings, with a 4-7 record, a 4.19 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP in 13 road starts this year. Lively’s last appearance on September 4 resulted in a loss, where he allowed four runs on seven hits in just four innings. Earlier this season, he faced Chicago twice, giving up 6 runs on 14 hits over 11.2 innings with 8 strikeouts.
Will Chicago Find Their Fight in September?
Chicago finds itself an astonishing 48.5 games behind in the AL Central standings, marking a season filled with disappointment for fans. With a dismal home record of 18-54 this season and an even worse 6-40 since the All-Star break, the White Sox are seeking to turn things around.
Ranking at the bottom of the league, the Southsiders hold 30th place in both on-base percentage (.279) and OPS (.619), along with just 114 home runs. Their pitching staff has struggled as well, posting a 4.85 ERA (29th) and a 1.45 WHIP (29th), with a .258 opponent batting average (26th).
In Cannon’s last start, he demonstrated promise by allowing only one run on five hits while recording four strikeouts over 5.2 innings against Baltimore. This season, he has a 1-4 record with a 4.17 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in ten appearances at Guaranteed Rate Field. Although Cannon has yet to face Cleveland, he brings a solid 70:33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .274 opponent batting average over a total of 101.1 innings pitched.
Predictions for Guardians vs. White Sox
Betting Trends: Cleveland’s record against AL Central rivals stands at 17-28 (37.8%) for the run line, and they are 13-16 (44.8%) as road favorites this season. Their offensive performance has dipped significantly in the second half, with a batting average of .228, an on-base percentage of .294, and a slugging percentage of .376 since the All-Star break, placing them 27th in weighted on-base average (wOBA).
Scoring an average of only 3.28 runs per game in September, the Guardians face a challenge against Cannon, who recently excelled against the Orioles. With Lively struggling in his last two starts, allowing 10 runs on 16 hits in just over 8 innings, Chicago may have the advantage, especially after their 7-2 victory in Boston on Sunday.
