Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago Cubs 7/1/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
The second game of a three-game MLB Interleague series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago Cubs will be played on Saturday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. After dropping their previous two road games, Cleveland fell to 39-42 overall and 19-23 on the road, moving into second place in the AL Central, only 0.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins. The Guardians have scored 322 runs so far this season, but they have also given up 338 runs, giving them a run difference of -16 for the year. The Cleveland Guardians will attempt to rebound after dropping four of their previous seven games, including two straight defeats and a crushing 1-10 away loss to the Chicago Cubs the previous time out. In 3.1 innings of work on Friday afternoon, Cleveland’s starting pitcher Cal Quantrill (2-5, 6.18 ERA) allowed six earned runs and two free passes, earning him the loss.
With 13 home runs, third baseman Jose Ramirez now leads the Guardians in home runs scored, while first baseman Josh Naylor has driven in 58 runs this season, which is a club high. Cleveland struggled at the plate this season, averaging only 4.0 runs per game, the fourth-lowest mark in the big leagues. On Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians’ right-hander Tanner Bibee is slated to open a series against the Chicago Cubs in the second round. The right-handed pitcher is 4-2 on the year with a respectable 3.79 ERA and a solid 1.30 WHIP. In 59.1 innings thrown, he has allowed 56 hits, 21 free bases, and six home runs while striking out 58 hitters.
The totals have gone UNDER in eight of the Cleveland Guardians’ previous 12 games while playing away from home against the Chicago Cubs. The Cleveland Guardians are 3-6 SU in their last nine games played against the Chicago Cubs. The Guardians are 3-6 straight up in their previous nine games against opponents from the National League Central Division, while the totals have gone OVER in four of Cleveland’s last five games played against opponents from the National League. In their previous six games, all of which were played in July, the Cleveland Guardians are 4-2 SU.
Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago Cubs 7/1/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
When they face the Cleveland Guardians in game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs will continue a homestand in search of their second consecutive victory. After winning their remaining home games, the Chi-Cows moved to 38-42 overall, 21-20 at home, and finished fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs now have a run differential of +42 for the season after scoring 369 runs while giving up 337. With a huge 10-1 victory over the Guardians at home, the Chi Cubs end a four-game losing run and split the previous ten games. With a three-hit shutout on the way to the seventh inning on Friday, left-handed starter Justin Steele polished his All-Star potential and won his third straight start, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Third baseman Patrick Wisdom of Chicago continued to be on the disabled list due to a wrist injury, but he still leads the Cubs in long balls hit with 13, and he also leads the team with 28 runs batted in. For Chicago, second baseman Nico Hoerner had a team-best batting average of.290, 42 runs batted in, and 88 hits. In the second game of a series against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, right-hander Marcus Stroman will get the start for the Chicago Cubs. The right-handed pitcher finished the season with a 9-5 record, a respectable ERA of 2.47, a stellar WHIP of 1.08, and 85 strikeouts in 85 starts while giving up 75 hits, 35 free walks, and hitting five long balls in 102.0 innings of work.
The totals have gone UNDER in five of the Chicago Cubs’ previous six games against Cleveland, but they are 1-4 SU in their last five games overall. The Chicago Cubs are 4-1 SU in their past five games while playing at home versus the Cleveland Guardians, but they are 2-4 straight up in their previous six home games. In five of the Chicago Cubs’ previous five games against opponents from the American League Central Division, the totals went OVER.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago Cubs The MLB Pick for this contest is the Chicago Cubs. On Saturday, the Cubs will take advantage of home-field advantage to defeat the Guardians for the second time in a row. The Chicago Cubs gained momentum by defeating Cleveland in the series opener with a commanding nine-run lead following an eight-frame shutout start, breaking a four-game losing slide. This game should be won by the home team. The odds are 4-2, with the Chicago Cubs winning.
MLB Starting Time: 7:15 PM ET
Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, lllinois
Date: Saturday, July 1, 2023
TV: FOX
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Cubs -135
MLB Totals: 7.5
