Series Preview: Giants at Guardians
A Battle with the Boys from the Bay
The Giants enter a weekend series in Cleveland at 43-45 with a -27 run differential, 13th in MLB with a 104 wRC+, 20th in baserunning runs above average at -2.5, 19th in Defensive War at -13, 13th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.03, and 11th in bullpen FIP at 3.75.
The Guardians are 54-31 with a +97 run differential, tenth in MLB with a 107 team wRC+, 23rd in baserunning runs above average at -4.5, fifth in Defensive WAR at 4.2, 29th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.71, and 2nd in bullpen FIP at 3.16.
Matchups:
Game One: TBD vs Tanner Bibee, RHP, 3.33 FIP, Friday at 7:10pm EST
Analysis: Bibee vs. a likely bullpen game makes for a good matchup on paper for the Guardians, but the Giants do have a solid bullpen.
Game Two: Kyle Harrison, RHP, 3.96 FIP, vs Logan Allen, LHP. 5.63 FIP, Saturday at 4:10pm EST
Analysis: Allen will try to control the Giants' best hitters including Lamont Wade Jr 167 wRC+, Heliot Ramos 156 wRC+, Patrick Bailey 122 wRC+, Matt Chapman 116 wRC+, Brett Wisely 116 wRC+ and Michael Conforto 109 wRC+.
Game Three: Hayden Birdsong, RHP, 6.67 FIP, vs. Carlos Carrasco, RHP, 4.92 FIP, Sunday at 1:40pm EST
Analysis: Birdsong, as an inexperienced pitcher, will try to stop the best Guardians hitters including Steven Kwan 177 wRC+, Jhonkensy Noel 166 wRC+, David Fry 158 wRC+, Angel Martinez 153 wRC+, Daniel Schneemann 143 wRC+, Jose Ramirez 141 wRC+, and Josh Naylor at 127 wRC+. Will Brennan may return for this series.