Series Preview: Guardians at Phillies

Shaping up to be a challenging series

The Guardians, in the biggest slump of their 2024 season, will now play the best team in baseball.

The Guardians are 61-41 with a +77 run differential, 13th in MLB with a team wRC+ of 103, 20th in Baserunning Runs Above Average at -3.5, fourth in Defensive WAR at 6.8, 27th in starter FIP at 4.60, and first in reliever FIP at 3.14.

The Phillies are 64-38 with a +109 run differential, seventh in MLB with a team wRC+ of 109, fifth in Baserunning Runs Above Average at 5.9, 10th in Defensive WAR at -4.6, first in starter FIP at 3.53, and third in reliever FIP at 3.49. This team doesn’t really have any weaknesses except they’re not amazing defensively.

Matchups:

Game One: Ben Lively, RHP (4.48 FIP) vs. Cristopher Sanchez, LHP (2.64 FIP) Friday, July 26th, 6:40PM EST

Analysis: Lively will see if he can save the Guardians’ season again by holding Philadelphia’s offense in check. The Phillies have nine players who are above 100 wRC+, led by Bryce Harper 162 wRC+, Trea Turner 160 wRC+, Rafael Marchán 149 wRC+, Alec Bohm 131 wRC+, Kyle Schwarber 125 wRC+, Edmundo Sosa 122 wRC+, Kody Clemens 113 wRC+, Brandon Marsh 110 wRC+, and J.T. Realmuto 102 wRC+. Of course, right now, it’s fair to wonder if holding the Phillies to 0 runs will be enough for a win given the Guardians’ hitting issues and the fact that they will be facing an elite left-handed pitcher in Sanchez.

Game Two: Carlos Carrasco, RHP (4.68 FIP) vs. Tyler Phillips, RHP (3.89 FIP) Saturday, July 27th, 6:05PM EST

Analysis: The Guardians hitters choosing this weekend as a time to wake up would be great. Cleveland is led by Steven Kwan at 156 wRC+, Jhonkensy Noel at 149 wRC+, David Fry 142 wRC+, Jose Ramirez 133 wRC+, Josh Naylor 121 wRC+, Angel Martinez 111 wRC+, and Daniel Schneemann 107 wRC+.

Game Three: Xzavion Curry, RHP (5.50 FIP) vs. Ranger Suarez, LHP (2.99 FIP) Sunday, July 28th, RHP 1:35PM EST

Analysis: I’ll be blunt with you, reader. This series looks like it could be a disaster for the Guardians. Maybe they shock the world. Maybe they trade for someone who can take Curry’s turn in the rotation. Or maybe they have their first four game losing streak by the end of the weekend. Let’s hope for the best.