The St. Louis Cardinals are set to face off against the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a three-game series on Friday at Progressive Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing recent games, with the Cardinals holding a record of 44-38 and the Guardians at 40-39.
In their previous four games against the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals had a strong start, winning the first two games before suffering a disappointing 8-0 loss and a 3-0 defeat in their final two outings, managing just three hits in the latter. Before these losses, the Cardinals had demonstrated offensive prowess, scoring five or more runs in six of their seven games prior.
Conversely, the Guardians dropped two of three home games against the Toronto Blue Jays, culminating in a 6-0 shutout on Thursday. Despite this setback, Cleveland had previously showcased their batting strength by scoring 17 runs in the four games prior to the loss. Notably, third baseman Jose Ramirez left Thursday’s game due to a forearm injury and is considered questionable for Friday’s matchup, which could significantly impact the Guardians’ lineup.
The projected starters for the game are Sonny Gray for the Cardinals and Luis Ortiz for the Guardians. Gray enters the matchup with a 7-2 record and a 3.72 ERA, while Ortiz has a 4-8 record with a 4.30 ERA. Historically, Gray has struggled against the Guardians, going 0-2 with a 4.39 ERA in his last five starts against them. Ortiz has faced the Cardinals four times in his career, also struggling with an 0-2 record and a high ERA of 10.50.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Cardinals are set as the favorites at -130 on the moneyline, while the Guardians are at +110. As for the run line and over/under, Cardinals are favored at -1.5 (+135) while the over/under is set at 8.5.
Predictions suggest a tight contest, with some analysts favoring the Cardinals to win 6-4, buoyed by the potential return to form after their recent offensive struggles. Given the weather conditions with winds blowing out, insights indicate a likelihood for high scoring, making the over on 8.5 runs a viable option.
Fans can look forward to an exciting matchup as both teams aim to regain momentum in the competitive landscape of MLB.