Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Coors Field, Denver, CO
Where to watch: Bally Sports Great Lakes, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Guardians -130, Rockies +110
BetMGM: Guardians -130, Rockies +110
Caesars: Guardians -135, Rockies +115
Season record
Guardians: 31-27
Rockies: 27-36
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Guardians - Rockies preview and analysis
In the case of the Cleveland guardians, I do believe that we have seen another side of this group that I don't think any of us anticipated happening.
With twelve wins in their last 15 games, Cleveland is now four games above 500 and looks very dangerous at the right time. To be fair, facing the Colorado Rockies and defeating them handedly is not something I would be very gung ho about but given the fact that Cleveland is outperforming expectations right now, anything is possible.
Jose Ramirez had four hits and five at bats, once again reminding people that he is in fact one of the best hitters in the game at this moment and is surely on his way to making another All Star team. Ahmed Rosario had three hits in five at bats including his first home run of the season in the third inning off Austin Gomber, who only lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on nine hits.
But we can talk about baseball another time. Let’s talk about Steven Kwan doing absurd things for the catch of the year.
"I thought he had zero chance of catching that," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "I'm thinking, OK, he's going to leave his feet and that guy at first is going to score. He willed himself to catch that ball. That was a great play."
Sometimes when you are in need of a run like winning 12 out of 15, you just need to beat the teams that are in front of you and hope the chips fall where they may. Cleveland, as hilarious as it might be, is finding ways to win despite the fact that they got off to a very rough start out of the gates.
The pitching staff remains a lot to be desired as it pertains to Cleveland. They went through six different pictures in this game and allowed only three earned runs on eleven hits. Any other time, and any other opponent, would result in Cleveland possibly losing this game.
But it does go to show you how bad the Rockies are right now. Sure, Connor Joe had two hits in five at bats, as did Charlie Blackmon, but when you are only driving in two runs via RBI, you need more help. Which is why you paid almost $200 million to get Chris Bryant, but his injuries have prevented him from rejoining the team and as a result, Colorado now finds itself nine games under 500.
"We just couldn't generate the big hit when we needed to," manager Bud Black said.
As far as I'm concerned, Colorado is no longer relevant unless they get healthy and find ways to win games that they need to win. And if they're going to lose to red hot teens like the guardians, I can't imagine anything noteworthy happening with Colorado for the rest of the way.
Prediction
It's not really ideal for Cleveland to be getting as many hits as they are from the top of their order without any depth helping them out, but as far as I'm concerned if you are a team that is in need of wins and you find any way you can to get them let the superstars do what they have to do and find yourself away to win a game. And that's why I think Cleveland will take this game on Thursday. Guardians win 7-3
Betting trends
Guardians are 25-25 in inter-league games the past three seasons.
Guardians are 7-3 as a road favorite this season.
Rockies are 16-17 at home this season.
Projected lineup
Guardians:
Myles Straw (R) CF
Amed Rosario (R) SS
Jose Ramirez (S) DH
Oscar Gonzalez (R) RF
Owen Miller (R) 2B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Ernie Clement (R) 3B
Oscar Mercado (R) LF
Luke Maile (R) C
SP - Triston McKenzie
Rockies:
Connor Joe (R) LF
Charlie Blackmon (L) DH
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Yonathan Daza (R) CF
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
Randal Grichuk (R) RF
Elias Diaz (R) C
SP - Chad Kuhl
Statistical leaders
Guardians:
Batting average: Jose Ramirez -- .307
Home runs: Jose Ramirez -- 16
RBI: Jose Ramirez -- 62
Wins: Cal Quantrill -- 4
ERA: Shane Bieber -- 3.01
Rockies:
Batting average: Jose Iglesias -- .308
Home runs: C.J. Cron -- 14
RBI: C.J. Cron -- 43
Wins: Chad Kuhl -- 4
ERA: Kyle Freeland -- 4.39
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