Two of MLB’s lowest-scoring offenses are set to square off at Progressive Field on Friday as the Milwaukee Brewers (38-36) are on the road to face the Cleveland Guardians (36-38) for the first of a three-game Interleague series.
The Brewers are embarking on a 10-game road trip after wrapping up a successful six-game homestand (4-2). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Diamondbacks, dropping the finale 5-1 on Wednesday at American Family Field. Raimel Tapia was 1 for 3 with a solo home run.
The Guardians are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 6-1 on Thursday at Progressive Field for their fourth straight win. Myles Straw went 2 for 3 with a triple, one run, and one RBI.
The teams are meeting for the first time since September 12, 2021, when the Brewers finished off a three-game series sweep with an 11-1 victory at Progressive Field.
ON THE MOUND
Wade Miley (4-2, 3.28 ERA) is slated to get the start for Milwaukee. The southpaw threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-0 road win over the Pirates on Saturday. He earned the win, giving up two hits while striking out four and walking two.
Right-hander Shane Bieber (5-4, 3.51 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cleveland. In his last start on Saturday, Bieber took the loss on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw 7.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking two in the 6-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Milwaukee offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, the fifth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .226/.303/.374. Christian Yelich leads the team in OPS at .791.
The right fielder is slashing .267/.360/.431 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs, and 49 runs over 71 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Bieber this season, the Brew Crew have a .688 OPS. Yelich also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .862 OPS in 191 at-bats.
Cleveland is slashing .247/.311/.371 for the season and averaging 4.0 runs per game, the fourth lowest in MLB. Jose Ramirez leads the team with a .869 OPS. The third baseman has 11 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 43 runs scored with a slash line of .293/.355/.514.
Cleveland is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.303/.364/.455). The Guardians have a .688 OPS against lefties in 2023, the fourth lowest in the league. With a .898 OPS over 69 at-bats, Andres Gimenez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Milwaukee is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 16-18 in 2023. The Brew Crew have scored 3.8 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.5 runs. Cleveland has won four in a row at their home park.
The Guardians are 19-17 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. Cleveland is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field despite an average scoreline favoring Milwaukee (4.6-3.6).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Brewers are second in the NL Central, one game behind the division-leading Reds. The Guardians are second in the AL Central, one game behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
