Free Pick | MLB | Friday | June 20

Nelly’s has a great AL Contender Clash set for Friday night!

#969 Cleveland Guardians (Bibee) -115 over Sacramento Athletics (Springs) 9:05 PM CT

The Athletics won in an extra-innings walk-off yesterday to split four games with the Astros even while outscored 29-16. The Athletics are 11-30 since May 6 to erase a competitive start to the season, while just 14-25 at home in Sacramento. Add that the A’s are 7-2 vs. the Rockies and White Sox this season and it is an ugly picture for the team vs. quality teams. Cleveland just won two of three in San Francisco to get back above .500 and Tanner Bibee has been a reliable starter for the Guardians with a 3.79 ERA in 14 starts with numbers that have improved after a marginal first month of the season. Cleveland has a massive edge in the bullpen with a steady 3.66 ERA this season compared to a 6.13 season bullpen ERA for the Athletics with a 1.62 WHIP. In the past 10 games the Athletics have a 7.09 bullpen ERA despite holding on last night even while allowing three runs in the eighth inning. Jeffrey Springs showed a lot of promise in 2022 before injuries have cost him most of the past two seasons. In his first season with the Athletics, he hasn’t displayed the same potential with a 7.5 K/9 that is well below his career average. Walks have been a problem and his FIP is 4.57. In Sacramento starts, Springs has a 5.51 ERA and while Cleveland does not hit left-handers with great success, the Guardians are much more accustomed to winning close games in the late innings.