The Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. The Guardians are fresh off a set versus the Royals. Cleveland won the first pair, then on Thursday the Guardians took a close loss. As for the Cubs, they played the Phillies this week. After losing the first pair, on Thursday Chicago fell by two runs. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cleveland Guardians 

The Guardians took out the Royals 2-1 on Tuesday and 14-1 in game two. In the finale Thursday, Cleveland posted 13 team hits in a tough 10-inning loss 4-3. Shane Bieber went 6.0 clean frames in the start with two hits and a walk. 

For the starter job on Friday the Guardians will go with Cal Quantrill. In his 11 starts this year Quantrill is 2-4 with a 5.61 ERA and 34 Ks in 59.1 innings. Quantrill is 33-20 with a 3.77 ERA in 124 games (86 starts). 

Chicago Cubs 

Over on the Cubs’ side, they lost to the Phillies 5-1 and 8-5 in their first two games. In the Thursday game Chicago had the game tied early but ultimately fell 3-1. Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks managed 7.0 innings with three earned on six hits and zero walks.

In the starter slot for the Friday matchup the Cubs are sending out Justin Steele. In his 14 starts this year Steele is 8-2 with a 2.62 ERA and 70 Ks in 79.0 innings. Steele is 16-13 with a 3.25 career ERA in 58 games (47 starts). 

The Guardians are 7-15 in their last 22 interleague games and 2-6 in the last eight Friday games. Cleveland is 2-8 in the last 10 interleague road games. 

Meanwhile, the Cubs are 21-5 in their last 26 Friday games and 25-9 in their last 34 in game one of a series. Chicago is 2-7 in their last nine versus the AL Central. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with the Cubs here. Quantrill hasn’t pitched since May 30, and he’s coming off a pair of rough starts. Quantrill has 14 earned runs over his last 8.1 innings on 12 hits and five walks. If Quantrill can’t turn it around quickly in his return, Chicago should have some opportunities. On Thursday the Cubs offense couldn’t get much going after the second inning. It’s going to take a better effort at the plate in this opener, but I think the Chicago pen will keep things manageable.