The Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians meet Saturday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be game three in a four-game weekend series. The Guardians took a three-run win in the opener, then in game two Cleveland went up 2-0 in the series with a wild one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Baltimore Orioles 

The Orioles couldn’t score outside of the eighth inning in the Thursday opener of this set, eventually falling 5-2. Anthony Santander and Ryan O’Hearn each had an RBI in the defeat. On Friday Baltimore had a 5-3 lead in the third inning but ultimately lost 9-8 in a fast-paced offensive game. Santander finished with three hits, one run and three RBI. Aaron Hicks added two RBI of his own in the losing effort. 

In the starting pitcher slot for the Orioles on Saturday it’ll be John Means. So far in his two starts this season Means is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA and two Ks in 10.0 innings. Means is 20-25 with a 3.80 ERA in his career. 

Baltimore Orioles Team Facts

The Orioles have lost five of their last six games as favorites.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Orioles’ last seven games.
The Orioles have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
The Orioles have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Orioles’ last seven Saturday night games against AL Central opponents.

Cleveland Guardians 

Over on the Guardians’ side, they broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning Thursday on the way to the win. Jose Ramirez had two hits and an RBI, while Ramon Laureano and Bo Naylor each had a run and an RBI. On Friday Cleveland’s Kole Calhoun and David Fry each had two RBI. Josh Naylor had two runs, two hits and two walks. 

Cal Quantrill will take the hill for the Guardians on Saturday. This year Quantrill is 3-6 with a 5.26 ERA over 17 starts. He’s got 51 Ks in 90.2 innings. Quantrill is 1-3 with a 6.06 ERA over his last seven starts. 

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

The home team has won each of the Guardians’ last nine games.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Guardians’ last 13 games.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last four games as home underdogs.
The Guardians have led after 7 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs.
The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cleveland Guardians rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (117).
The Cleveland Guardians rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (1093).
The Baltimore Orioles rank 3rd in the league for doubles this season (298).
The Baltimore Orioles rank 6th in the league for runs scored this season (786).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably go with the Guardians here. Quantrill is doing well on the hill lately. He’s 1-0 over his last three starts with just three earned in a span of 17.2 innings on 13 hits and five walks. As for Means, he’s coming off a solid effort in Houston with 5.0 innings and one earned run. In the Friday matchup Cleveland soldiered through a rough outing from starter Shane Bieber (5.0 innings; four earned) and a couple of sketchy bullpen performances. The Guardians have scored four or more runs in five of their last six games, and I like them to keep it going on Saturday.