The Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend series. In the Friday opener, the Rangers took a blowout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cleveland Guardians 

The Guardians were able to win three of four from the Royals last weekend prior to the All-Star festivities. On Friday versus Texas, Cleveland blew a 4-0 lead after three innings and eventually lost 12-4. Starter Aaron Civale finished with 5.0 innings, two earned, five hits and a walk. 

For the starter job on Saturday it’ll be Cleveland’s Gavin Williams. In his four starts this year (the first four of his career) Williams is 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA and 19 Ks in 24.2 innings. 

Texas Rangers 

Over on the Rangers’ side, they lost two of three to the Nationals in their series last weekend. On Friday Texas scored five runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth to secure the win. Jon Gray lasted 6.0 innings in the start with four earned on five hits and three walks. 

Andrew Heaney will make the start for the Rangers on Saturday. Across 17 starts this year Heaney is 5-6 with a 4.71 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 86.0 innings. Heaney is 41-48 with a 4.57 ERA in 154 career games (143 starts). 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Cleveland. Also probably skipping this one. Williams has seven earned over his last two games in 12.0 combined innings on 15 hits and three walks. As for Heaney, he’s struggled in two of his last three with a combined 8.2 innings and 13 earned, but he did do well against Houston on July 2. On Friday the Guardians had a really rough outing from the back end of their bullpen—and their pitching staff as a whole. Cleveland is going to need a better effort here but I think they’ll get it.