The Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians meet Sunday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the finale in a four-game series over the weekend. Cleveland took the first two games, then on Saturday Baltimore got on the board with a close win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Baltimore Orioles 

The Orioles didn’t have much luck over the first two games, falling 5-2 Thursday and 9-8 in the Friday matchup. Anthony Santander managed three RBI and three hits in the game two defeat, however. On Saturday Baltimore held the Guardians to just one hit in a 2-1 victory. Santander stayed hot with three hits and both RBI, while James McCann had two hits with a run. 

It’ll be Kyle Gibson in the starting role for the Orioles on Sunday. This year in 31 starts Gibson is 14-9 with a 5.00 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 180.0 innings. Gibson has gone 3-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Baltimore Orioles Team Facts

The Orioles have lost each of their last eight day games against the Guardians following a win.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Orioles’ last eight games.
The Orioles have trailed after 7 innings in three of their last four games as road favorites against AL Central opponents.
The Orioles have led after 3 innings in each of their last five road day games.
The Orioles have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four day games at Progressive Field against American League opponents.

Cleveland Guardians

Over on the Guardians’ side, they managed 13 team hits (and three errors) in Friday’s comeback victory. Kole Calhoun and David Fry each turned in two RBI along the way. In the Saturday game Cleveland’s lone hit was a solo homer from Andres Gimenez in the seventh. Myles Straw was the only Guardians player to draw a walk. 

Triston McKenzie is set to start the Sunday finale for the Guardians. McKenzie has made just two starts so far this season; he’s 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 10.0 innings total in that pair. 

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

The Guardians have won each of their last seven day games against the Orioles following a loss.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Guardians’ last 14 games.
The Guardians have led after 7 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs.
The Guardians have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last four day games at Progressive Field.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cleveland Guardians rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (118).
The Cleveland Guardians rank T1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (165).
The Baltimore Orioles rank 3rd in the league for doubles this season (299).
The Baltimore Orioles rank T6th in the league for runs scored this season (788).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m probably going to stick with the Orioles. Gibson wasn’t perfect in his last outing versus the Astros (4.2 innings; three earned), but he’s been decent overall this month. Gibson has seven earned in 17.1 innings over his last three starts. As for McKenzie, he’s got one good start (5.0 innings; zero earned) and one bad start (5.0 innings; five earned) this year, but those were way back in June before his injury stint from a sprained right elbow. On Saturday Baltimore got a brilliant pitching performance from John Means, Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez. The O’s offense was once again sluggish, though. Baltimore has scored two or few runs in three of their last four games, so the bats need to get moving in this finale.