The Guardians and Marlins will vie for the title of “Whose past month is the most real?” in Cleveland for the next three days.
The Guardians are 61-56 with a -19 run differential, 25th in team wRC+ at 89, 11th in baserunning runs above average at 2.3, eighth in Defense at -0.2, 23rd in starting pitcher FIP at 4.40, and fourth in bullpen FIP at 3.59.
The Marlins are 57-61 with a -60 run differential, 21st in team wRC+ at 96, 16th in baserunning runs above average at -0.5, 18th in Defense at -9.2, 17th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.17, and 18th in bullpen FIP at 4.08. The Marlins are 17-13 since July 7th, and a record that looked a LOT better before they lost 4 out of 5 to Atlanta over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Guardians are 20-8 in that time period. Which team’s resurgence is for real? Perhaps we will find out over the next three games.
Matchups:
Tuesday, 6:40PM EDT: Janson Junk, RHP, 3.17 FIP vs. Logan T. Allen, LHP, 4.53 FIP
Wednesday, 6:40 PM EDT: Eury Perez, RHP, 3.59 FIP vs. Gavin Williams, RHP, 4.40 FIP
Thursday, 6:40PM EDT: Edward Cabrera, RHP, 3.58 FIP vs. Tanner Bibee, RHP, 4.53 FIP
The Marlins have their best three starters going the next two days. So, the Guardians need to come out of their off-day focused on putting up some good at-bats and getting into the Marlins’ pen as soon as possible.
On the Marlins, the Guardians need to watch out for Kyle Stowers 147 wRC+, Heribito Hernandez 139 wRC+, and Xavier Edwards at 108 wRC+. The Marlins will focus in on Jose Ramirez 135 wRC+, CJ Kayfus 127 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo 123 wRC+, Steven Kwan 105 wRC+, and Daniel Schneemann 103 wRC+. Would be such a GREAT time for Jose to pull out of his recent slump, as well as for Steven Kwan whose slump has been even more pronounced. If that doesn’t happen… could ruin our recent tour of good feelings with the Guards. So, let’s figure this out and reward Guardians’ fans who seem set to give this homestand some excellent attendance numbers!