Cleveland Guardians vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction, Preview and Odds - 07/26/2024

Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Friday, July 26, 2024

Venue:  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Where to Watch:  BSGL

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Guardians +142, Phillies -170; Over/Under:  8 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Guardians +140, Phillies -170; Over/Under:  8 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Guardians +140, Phillies -170; Over/Under:  8 runs

Cleveland Guardians:  61-40 (1st place, AL Central)

Philadelphia Phillies:  64-38 (1st place, NL East)

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Cleveland Guardians:  4-6 last 10

Philadelphia Phillies:  4-6 last 10

The Guardians lost their 3-game series against the San Diego Padres 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 61-40 record overall and have a road record of 28-26. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Phillies on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Detroit Tigers still to be played on Thursday. The Guardians lost the series opener of that series on Monday, won the 2nd game on Tuesday, and won the 3rd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .714 OPS. Gavin Williams is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Ben Lively is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 8-6 with a 3.57 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 ER, 2 HR, and 2 BB with 2 Ks on 6 hits through 5.1 IP against the San Diego Padres.

The Phillies are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Minnesota Twins 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 64-38 record overall and have a home record of 37-16. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Guardians on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .750 OPS. Aaron Nola was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Cristopher Sánchez is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 7-5 with a 2.97 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 0 BB with 2 strikeouts on 8 hits through 5.2 innings played against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The current betting odds have the Phillies listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Phillies have looked great in their games this season with their 64-38 record overall which has them leading the NL East with the best record in the entire MLB. They also have one of the best home records in the MLB with their 37-16 home record. Meanwhile, the Guardians have looked really good in their games this season with their 61-40 record overall which has them leading the AL Central. They haven't looked as good in their road games though with their 28-26 road record. Both of these teams haven't looked good in their games lately and both have been struggling out of the All-Star break, but this is a good game for the Phillies to bounce back from their series loss. They have Sanchez on the mound here and he has looked great this season with his 7-5 record and his 2.97 ERA. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start and that has been a common theme for him this season. His team has lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting, but he is due for a win with how good he has looked lately, and the Phillies will be looking to bounce back at home after a close loss to the Twins. The Guardians are going to have Lively on the mound in this one and he is 8-6 with a 3.57 ERA. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start and hasn't been giving up many runs this season, but he has been giving up more runs in his recent starts. The team has also lost 2 games in a row with him starting and the Phillies have the better offense here that can do some damage at home. The Guardians have been struggling for a while now going back before the break and they aren't going to break out of their funk in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Phillies to win this game. 

Guardians Phillies Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, July 26, 2024 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Phillies 3 Guardians 1.

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Cleveland Guardians: 4-21 (-19.90 units) on the runline in their last 25 games. 7-16 (-9.35 units) on the first 5 moneyline in their last 23 games. 58-44 to the over with their first 5 team total in their last 102 games. 

Philadelphia Phillies: 33-10 (+13.70 units) on the moneyline in their last 43 home games. 32-10 (+19.35 units) on the first 5 runline in their last 42 home games. 50-35 to the over in their last 85 games. 

Cleveland Guardians:  T. Bibee (SP) Ques Thurs - Knee. S. Hentges (RP) Late July - Shoulder. T. Stephan (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Karinchak (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. S. Bieber (SP) out for season - Elbow.

Philadelphia Phillies:  L. Ortiz (RP) out for season - Ankle. S. Turnbull (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. T. Walker (SP) Out indefinitely - Finger. M. Rucker (RP) Out indefinitely - Finger. D. Covey (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.

“All I know is that Josh is a competitor. He almost wants to get it over with and just kind of get in the box because he’s always ready for his turn and his chance to do something big.” - Bo Naylor after their win against the Tigers in their game on Wednesday.

“I think we’re just going through a down stretch right now with our offense a little bit, and certainly throwing strikes with our bullpen. These guys are talented enough. I have no worries that they’re not going to come out of it.” - Rob Thomson after his team’s loss against the Twins in their game on Wednesday.

S Kwan (L) LF

A Martínez (S) CF

J Ramírez (S) 3B

D Fry (R) DH

J Naylor (L) 1B

J Noel (R) RF

A Gimenez (L) 2B

B Rocchio (S) SS

B Naylor (L) C

K Schwarber (L) DH

T Turner (R) SS

B Harper (L) 1B

A Bohm (R) 3B

B Marsh (L) LF

N Castellanos (R) RF

B Stott (L) 2B

G Stubbs (L) C

J Rojas (R) CF

Batting Average:  Steven Kwan (.345)

Hits:  José Ramírez (107)

Home Runs:  José Ramírez (24)

RBI:  José Ramírez (82)

Stolen Bases:  José Ramírez (18)

Wins:  Logan Allen (8)

Saves:  Emmanuel Clase (31)

ERA:  Shane Bieber (0.00)

Batting Average:  Trea Turner (.338)

Hits:  Alec Bohm (114)

Home Runs:  Bryce Harper (23)

RBI:  Alec Bohm (71)

Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott (23)

Wins:  Aaron Nola (11)

Saves:  José Alvarado (13)

ERA:  Jeff Hoffman (1.05)

Managers:

Cleveland Guardians: Stephen Vogt (1st season)

Philadelphia Phillies: Rob Thomson (3rd season)