6:40PM ET ARI Diamondbacks (-105) vs CLE Guardians (-115)
Eduardo Rodriguez vs Ben Lively
The Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks face off again tonight at Progressive Field, with Cleveland looking to bounce back after a close 7-6 loss in the series opener. The Diamondbacks managed to pull out the win with contributions from Joc Pederson, who hit a home run and drove in two RBIs, and Ketel Marte, who also homered and added an RBI.
The Guardians are keen to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season, a situation they have avoided effectively so far, going 5-0 when entering a game on a three-game losing streak. Cleveland should also be motivated to secure a win and maintain their slim 3.5-game divisional lead as the American League Central race is quickly heating up.
On the Mound
Ben Lively takes the mound for Cleveland and has been impressive, particularly at home. Lively holds a 10-6 record with a 3.42 ERA and has shown consistent form throughout the season. In his last outing against the Baltimore Orioles, Lively allowed just two runs over six innings, showcasing his ability to keep opposing hitters at bay. His strong home performance, with a 6-1 record and a 2.78 ERA, provides the Guardians with a solid foundation to build on.
The Diamondbacks will counter with Eduardo Rodriguez, who is making his season debut after missing time due to injuries. While Rodriguez has demonstrated potential in the past, his long layoff is likely to result in rust, particularly against a potent Guardians lineup. Rodriguez faces a challenging task against one of the league's best home offenses, which ranks 9th in slugging, 8th in OPS, and 9th in wRC+ against left-handed pitching.
Best Bet
Considering the matchup dynamics and current form, the Guardians are poised for a rebound victory. Ben Lively's home dominance, coupled with Cleveland's superior offensive splits against left-handed pitching, gives them a distinct edge over the Diamondbacks. Additionally, Rodriguez's debut presents an opportunity for the Guardians to exploit any lingering rust and assert control early. Arizona's offense is always a threat but the Guardians have the pitching and bullpen to counter and grab a win to avoid their longest losing streak of the season.