San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction: Can Ben Lively, Guardians Take Rubber Match Over Padres?
The San Diego Padres will take on the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon in a series rubber match. Can Ben Lively and the Guardians grab the home victory over the Padres? Krabs analyzes this showdown and gives his prediction and pick for Padres vs. Guardians.
Krabs - July 21, 2024, 11:33 AM EDT
5 minSan Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction: Can Ben Lively, Guardians Take Rubber Match Over Padres?
The Padres are fresh off a win, putting themselves back above .500 this season. They will face the Guardians in Cleveland for one final game before heading to Washington DC to face the Nationals. Will the Padres steal another game as they continue to play good baseball, or will the Guardians win their 32nd game at home?
Padres vs. Guardians DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: July 21, 2024
- Start Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction
San Diego opened up favorites for the final game of this series in Cleveland, but the Guardians have since been steamed up to favorites. It’s weird seeing Cleveland catch this much steam with the Padres coming off a win and seemingly having the starting pitching advantage. Michael King will take the mound for San Diego, and he hasn’t allowed more than a run in each of his last three outings…
Ben Lively isn’t as big of a name as Michael King, but he’s pitched fairly well of late. After spending some time in the KBO, Lively has figured it out and at one point even had a sub 3.00 ERA for the season back in June. Lively has also pitched much better in his home ballpark this season. His home ERA is sitting at 2.55 compared to his 4.27 ERA on the road. I like Lively’s chances out-pitch Michael King when the public least expects it.
The Guardians have been one of the best home teams in MLB this season. I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon, and with the Guardians catching this much steam at home after getting shutout last night, I like their chances of bouncing back. Once Lively outperforms the public’s expectations at home once again and passes the ball off to the bullpen and their league-best 2.58 bullpen ERA, it will be nearly impossible for the Padres to score runs late in this game…
With the Guardians catching more and more steam by the minute, lock-in their moneyline before the odds get any worse. They continue to be one of the most underrated, slept-on teams in baseball, especially at home. Fade the Padres after a big win last night; I’ll meet you at the cash counter when Lively out-pitches King and leads the Guardians to victory.
San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction
Pick: CLE ML (-115) CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH SPORTSBOOK HAS THE BEST ODDS
San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians System Projections - July 21st
MLB ODDS
