Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Seattle Mariners 8/28/22

The Cleveland Guardians (67-58) are on the road to face the Seattle Mariners (69-58) at T-Mobile Park on Sunday with the visitors looking to split the four-game series. The Guardians won 4-3 on Saturday for their first win of the series. Zach Plesac got the win, giving up three runs on three hits over seven innings, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 30th save with a scoreless ninth. Jose Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Steven Kwan added one run on two hits. Jake Lamb went 1 for 1 with a solo home run for the Mariners. Eugenio Suarez added a solo home run.

ON THE MOUND

Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.63 ERA) is set to take the mound for Cleveland. The right-hander allowed one run over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 3-1 home win over the Padres on Tuesday. He yielded four hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Civale is making his first appearance against the Mariners this season. Over two starts against the Mariners in 2021, Civale was 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA over 14.2 innings. He had 17 strikeouts and two walks. For Seattle, southpaw Robbie Ray (10-8, 3.87 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Guardians. Ray made one start against the Guardians in 2021, throwing six innings for the Blue Jays in a 5-2 home defeat on August 2. He gave up six hits and walked three, while striking out four in the no-decision.In his last start on Tuesday, Ray got the win at home against the Nationals. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up one run on two hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 4-2 triumph. The left-hander ranks fifth in the AL in strikeouts (173).

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against left-handed pitchers like Ray this season, the Guardians have a .640 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Amed Rosario is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .860 OPS in 104 at-bats. Seattle is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.1 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.173/.239/.333). The M’s have a .689 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .800 OPS over 317 at-bats, Julio Rodriguez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 35-33 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Seattle has gone 34-28 at T-Mobile Park this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In the last 10 games at T-Mobile Park between the teams, each club has won five, though Seattle has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.4-3.0.