Series Preview: Royals at Guardians

For the love of God, pitch around Bobby Witt

The two teams currently atop of the AL Central meet for a four-game series in three days in Cleveland beginning in under an hour from now.

The Royals are 72-58 with a +96 run differential, 13th in MLB with a team wRC+ of 100, 7th in baserunning runs above average at 7.3, 4th in Defensive WAR at 13.7, fourth in starting pitcher FIP at 3.70, and 24th in reliever FIP at 4.22.

The Guardians are 75-55 with a +77 run differential, 15th in MLB with a team wRC+ of 99, 18th in baserunning runs above average at -1.3, 3rd in Defensive WAR at 14.5, 28th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.73, and 1st in reliever FIP at 3.30.

By underlying numbers, the Royals are a better team than the Guardians. They are 4-2 against the Guardians this year, so the Guardians need to go 5-2 vs Kansas City the rest of the year to win the season series (and the season tiebreaker should the teams end up tied - remember, Cleveland already has the tiebreaker over Minnesota).

Game One: Nick Sandlin, RHP and Joey Cantillo, LHP vs. Cole Ragans, LHP, Monday, August 26th, 1:10pm EST

Analysis: Welp. Here goes nothing!

Game Two: Logan Allen, LHP vs. Alec Marsh, Monday, August 26th, 6:40PM EST

Analysis: The Guardians are 1-15 in double-header games over the past two seasons. So... they’re due to win a few. Right? Right????!!!!

Game Three: Gavin Williams, RHP vs. Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Tuesday, August 27th, 6:40PM EST

Analysis: This would be a REALLY key point for Williams to figure things out. He’s had two fairly non-competitive outings in a row, so I’m sure he and the team are working diligently to right the ship.

Game Four: Tanner Bibee, RHP vs. Michael Wacha, RHP, Wednesday, August 28th, 1:10PM EST

Analysis: I wonder how we will all be feeling about this series at this point? In any case, it will be a key moment for Bibee to prove he’s the staff ace and make a statement.