Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians 6/30/23

Justin Steele will be seeking to continue his excellent season for the Chicago Cubs (37-42) as they prepare to host the Cleveland Guardians (39-41), one of the least productive offenses in the league, at Wrigley Field on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series.

The Guardians are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Royals, dropping the finale 4-3 on Thursday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Josh Bell was 2 for 4 with one RBI.

The Cubs are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Phillies, dropping the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Wrigley Field for their fourth straight loss. Cody Bellinger went 1 for 3 with one run.

The teams are meeting for the first time since June 22, 2021, when the Cubs avoided a two-game series sweep with a 7-1 win at Wrigley Field.

ON THE MOUND

Cal Quantrill (2-4, 5.61 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Cleveland. The righty allowed eight runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, an 8-5 road defeat against the Orioles on May 30. He was charged with the loss, yielding eight hits while striking out three and walking two.

Southpaw Steele (8-2, 2.62 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago. In his last start on Saturday, Steele got the win on the road against the Cardinals.

He threw six innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 9-1 victory. The southpaw ranks fourth in the NL in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

The Cleveland offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, fifth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .249/.314/.376. Jose Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .892. The third baseman is slashing .298/.367/.525 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 50 runs over 76 games.

Over the last five games, though, Cleveland has averaged 5.4 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.290/.353/.437). Against southpaws like Steele this season, the Guardians have a .678 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB.

Andres Gimenez is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .844 OPS in 76 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .247/.327/.399 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Ian Happ leads the team with a .791 OPS.

The center fielder has seven home runs, 38 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .256/.380/.412. The Cubs have a .714 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .838 OPS over 207 at-bats, Happ also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 19-22 away from Progressive Field in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Chicago has lost four in a row in front of their home fans.

The Cubs are 20-20 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games at Wrigley Field between the teams, each club has won five, though Cleveland has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.4-2.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians are second in the AL Central, zero games behind the division-leading Twins. The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.