Game 2 Against the Baltimore Orioles

3 Things Preview For Today’s Game:

1 – Bieber is Back! 

Shane Bieber is back off the IL and starting on Friday night for the Guardians.  Bieber’s last start was on July 9th a loss against the Royals. 

2 – Matt Moore Released 

Earlier this week, Cleveland released reliever Matt Moore who was picked up by the Miami Marlins.  Michael Kelly took his place on the roster. 

3 – Stephan’s September Struggles 

On Thursday night, Trevor Stephan gave up two more earned runs in the 8th inning and currently in the month of September, Stephan has an ERA of 13.50. 

Guardians Notes

The 2023 season began with high hopes and expectations for the Cleveland Guardians. However, plagued by injuries and inconsistency, they dropped out of the playoff contention a month before the season’s end. Currently, they hold a 5-5 Record in their last 10 games overall. Their performance in the past 24 home games has been equally unremarkable, with a 12-12 record.

Facing teams with a winning record since the break, they have struggled, holding a 19-21 record in 40 games. Despite a significant upset to start this series, they aim to play the role of spoiler once again this Friday.

In a heartening development, veteran star Shane Bieber returns to the mound for Cleveland after being sidelined since July. This marks only his 20th start of the year, following his exceptional 2022 season. In his previous 19 starts, Bieber has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.77 ERA. While the season is essentially over for them, Bieber’s determination to return to the mound for what is likely his second-to-last appearance in 2023 is commendable. If he can return to top form, he will have the opportunity to challenge a formidable Orioles lineup.

Guardians Stats and Insights

GUARDIANS PROBABLE PITCHER – Shane Bieber

• Bieber makes the start for the Guardians, his 20th of the season. He is 5-6 with a 3.77 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings pitched.
• The right-hander last pitched on Sunday, July 9 against the Kansas City Royals, when he went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs while giving up nine hits.
• Bieber will try to secure his 17th outing of five or more innings pitched this season. He’s averaging 6.2 innings per appearance.
• He has had four appearances this season in which he did not surrender an earned run.
• The Guardians have been the underdog on the moneyline in four of Bieber’s starts this season, and they went 1-3 in those games.
• Bieber’s team has a 7-12 record in his starts this season.
• Bieber has had 19 starts that oddsmakers set a total for this season, and seven of those matchups finished over the total.

GUARDIANS TRENDS

• They have won 21 of the 29 games this season in which they hit two or more home runs.
• Cleveland has won 20 of its 27 games with five or more extra-base hits this season.
• In 96 games this season with eight or more hits, they have a record of 50-46.
• Cleveland has won 43 of its 58 games this season in which it scored more than four runs.
• In 39 games this season with five or more walks drawn, they’ve posted a record of 21-18

Orioles Notes

The 2023 Baltimore Orioles season has been a thrilling journey. Despite a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, they maintain a 1.5-game lead in the American League East over Tampa Bay, with only nine games left to play. Impressively, the Orioles have excelled on the road in their past 12 games, boasting a remarkable 9-3 record. Additionally, they’ve dominated teams with records below .500, going 11-5 in their last 16 matchups against such opponents. This series despite the loss last night against Cleveland presents a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the AL East race.

Taking the mound for Baltimore is the promising young right-hander, Dean Kremer. He’s enjoying the best season of his professional career, with a 12-5 record and a 4.17 ERA. While he may not be considered dominant, Kremer consistently gives the Orioles a chance to win whenever he pitches. Over his last 10 starts, he allowed more than three runs in just one game, and in five of those starts, he surrendered only one run or less. Facing a struggling Guardians lineup in 2023, Kremer has the potential to heat up as the playoffs approach.

Orioles Stats and Insights

ORIOLES PROBABLE PITCHER – Dean Kremer

• Kremer’s team is 22-8-0 against the spread in his starts this season.
• The right-hander last pitched on Sunday, when he gave up one earned run and allowed two hits in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
• In 30 starts this season, Kremer has lasted five or more innings 23 times, with an average of 5.5 innings per appearance.
• He has four appearances this season with zero earned runs allowed out of his 30 chances this season.
• Kremer’s team has a record of 10-3 this season when he starts and they are the favorite on the moneyline.
• Kremer’s team has won 23 of his 30 starts.
• In Kremer’s 30 starts with a total, the teams have hit the over 17 times.

ORIOLES TRENDS

• The Orioles have put up two or more home runs in 57 games this season, and are 43-14 in those outings.
• Baltimore has had five or more extra-base hits in 40 games this season and has gone 37-3 in those outings.
• The team has racked up eight or more hits 99 times this season and has a 72-27 record in those games.
• Baltimore is 75-11 in games this season when it put up at least five runs.
• The Orioles have drawn five or more walks in 37 games this season, and are 28-9 in those contests.

Final Thoughts/Pick

Despite their upset victory in the first game of this pivotal late-season series, the Orioles enter this matchup as slight favorites. Given Baltimore’s 6-4 record in their last ten head-to-head meetings, this shouldn’t be surprising.

Furthermore, the Orioles have demonstrated superior performance compared to Cleveland recently, securing victories on the road against playoff-caliber teams. With Dean Kremer boasting a remarkable 9-1 record in his last ten starts, the Orioles are poised for a significant rebound and are on track to move one step closer to clinching the AL East championship.

Our Pick: Take Orioles and the Money Line

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