Published Jun 1, 8:12pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 1, 8:12pm ET
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Updated Jun 1, 8:12pm ET
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| New York Yankees | -205 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +184 |
The Guardians have again risen to 1st place in the AL Central. As one of MLB's most consistent contenders despite financial constraints, this is no surprise. They have not hit much with a .232 team batting average, but their solid starting pitching has carried them.
For the first game against the Yankees in the Bronx, they send young lefty Joey Cantillo to the hill. Cantillo has a 0.8 bWAR this season in 12 starts. He's posted a 3.57 ERA. In 58 innings, he's allowed 50 hits and 23 earned runs, walking 31 and striking out 52.
He'll need to have better command than he's had this season if he's going to tame the Yankees' bats.
His last start was poor as the Nationals knocked him around for 4 earned runs in 2 innings. Cantillo walked 4 and allowed a homer.
At the plate, Jose Ramirez is still underperforming with a .228 average. But he has a 1.7 bWAR, 8 homers, and an AL-leading 20 stolen bases in 22 attempts. Travis Bazzana has an .838 OPS and a 1.1 bWAR. Angel Martinez leads the team in homers with 9. Patrick Bailey is batting .148 since coming over from the Giants.
The only Guardians hitter to face Yankees starter Cam Schlittler is Bailey, who is 0 for 2.
The Yankees have won 6 of 7 and still trail the Rays in the AL East. In the first game of their 3-game set against the Guardians in the Bronx, they send ace Cam Schlittler to the hill.
Schlittler leads the AL in bWAR at 3.2 and has a 1.50 ERA. In 12 starts, he has a 7-2 record. He's tossed 72 innings and allowed 48 hits and 12 earned runs, walking 13 and striking out 81. He also leads the AL in ERA+, WHIP, and fewest hits allowed per 9 innings.
Ben Rice continues to lead the majors in slugging, OPS, and OPS+. He leads the AL in RBI and has 17 homers. Cody Bellinger is leading AL batters in bWAR at 3.4 with an .855 OPS and 8 homers. He's boosted by his defense. Aaron Judge has a .907 OPS and 17 homers, but he hasn't had his customary hot streak yet.
Austin Wells and Trent Grisham are still stumbling at the plate. Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm have been hitting well lately. McMahon has finally raised his average over .200 and has 6 homers.
Against Cantillo, Judge is 1 for 3 with a home run. Bellinger is 1 for 1 with a single. Paul Goldschmidt is 1 for 1 with a double. Rice is 0 for 2.
The Guardians usually give the Yankees a tough time, but New York is extremely hot right now. Cleveland has not been hitting and the Bombers have an undeniable advantage on the mound.
New York will force Cantillo to throw strikes and will hit him when he does. Schlittler will continue his run toward a possible Cy Young Award and the Yankees beat the Guardians.
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New York Yankees -205
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