Cleveland and Atlanta meet in another rematch of the 1995 World Series. Assumedly, the umpires this weekend will not be giving Braves’ starters strikes on pitches six inches off the plate, however.
The Guardians are 63-57, with a -22 run differential, 25th in team wRC+ at 89, 11th in Baserunning Runs Above Average at 3.2, 6th in Defense at 1.4, 24th in starting pitching FIP at 4.42, and fourth in bullpen FIP at 3.44.
The Braves are 53-68, with a -20 run differential, 17th in team wRC+ at 99, 18th in Baserunning Runs Above Average at -1.9, 7th in Defense at -0.8, 18th in starting pitching FIP at 4.22, and 14th in bullpen FIP at 3.95.
Whenever I write these things, I’m constantly amazed that the Guardians have as good of a record as they do and always expecting them to get exposed, and yet, they continually find a way. Hopefully, that will continue because the Braves look like a pretty decent team that has simply been profoundly unlucky. But, that’s why they don’t play the games on paper. As usual, getting into the Braves pen (which recently lost Joe Jimenez) will be key to scoring runs.
Matchups:
Game One, Friday, 7:10PM: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, 1.61 FIP vs. Joey Cantillo, LHP, 3.56 FIP
Game Two, Saturday, 7:10PM: Joey Wentz, LHP, 3.11 FIP vs. Slade Cecconi, RHP, 4.75 FIP
Game Three, Sunday, 1:40PM: Erick Fedde, RHP, 5.71 FIP vs. Logan Allen, LHP, 4.45 FIP
So, Sunday’s game is the only game in which the odds would favor the Guardians’ to win. As a side note, Hurston Waldrep as a name reminds me of the rival for George Clooney’s character’s wife’s affections in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Just an all-time name.
The Guardians are led by Jose Ramirez at 143 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo at 123 wRC+ and Steven Kwan at 105 wRC+. CJ Kayfus and Daniel Schneemann are right at the cusp of 100 wRC+, though, so watch out!
The Braves are led by Ronald Acuna, Jr (expected back this series) at 178 wRC+, Drake Baldwin 129 wRC+, Matt Olson 129 wRC+, Marcell Ozuna 125 wRC+, and Jurickson Profar 116 wRC+. I enjoy Acuna, but I wouldn’t mind at ALL if he decided he needed one more weekend off.