Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Cleveland Guardians 6/13/23

The Cleveland Guardians (31-34) take one of the weakest lineups in the league on the road to face the San Diego Padres (31-34) at Petco Park on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game Interleague series.

The Guardians are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up a successful six-game homestand (4-2). They won two out of three in their last series against the Astros, taking the finale 5-0 on Sunday at Progressive Field.

Josh Bell was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored three runs. Tyler Freeman added a double and one RBI. The Padres are returning home for a six-game homestand.

They won two of three against the Rockies in their last series, dropping the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Coors Field. Fernando Tatis Jr. went 2 for 3 with one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

Last season, the Guardians won three of the four games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a two-game set at Petco Park in August.

ON THE MOUND

Tanner Bibee (2-1, 3.05 ERA) is in line to start for Cleveland. The righty allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings in his last start, a 5-2 home win over the Red Sox on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, yielding four hits while striking out two and walking two.

For San Diego, righty Joe Musgrove (3-2, 4.35 ERA) will toe the rubber. In his last start on June 6, Musgrove took a no-decision at home against the Mariners. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 4-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Cleveland offense is averaging 3.8 runs per game for the season, the fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .241/.309/.365. Jose Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .842.

The third baseman is slashing .278/.348/.494 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 37 runs over 61 games. Over the last five games, though, Cleveland has averaged 6.8 runs a game while performing better across the board (.332/.397/.549).

Against right-handed pitchers like Musgrove this season, the Guardians have a .675 OPS. Ramirez also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .926 OPS in 167 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .228/.317/.391 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game.

Juan Soto leads the team with a .869 OPS. The right fielder has 10 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 34 runs scored with a slash line of .258/.406/.462.

San Diego is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.294/.356/.486). The Padres have a .682 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .962 OPS over 150 at-bats, Soto also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 15-17 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. San Diego has gone 15-18 at their home park this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.7.

Cleveland is 4-1 in five games at Petco Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.0-1.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians are second in the AL Central, one game behind the division-leading Twins. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, nine games behind the Diamondbacks.