Guardians vs Mariners predictions
Let’s talk about the Cleveland Guardians and what to expect from their lineup heading into this game at T-Mobile Park. Jose Ramirez has been absolutely clutch this season, regularly finding ways to get on base and drive in runs. With his hot bat lately, I’d look for him to collect at least a hit or two and maybe even muscle out another home run given how consistent he’s been. Steven Kwan has also looked sharp at the plate, making solid contact and keeping strikeouts to a minimum, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see him working the count, picking up a hit, and potentially swiping a base. Carlos Santana tends to show up in big moments, and while he may not lead in average, those RBIs keep coming—watch for him to drive in another key run when the Guardians need it most.
On the Seattle Mariners’ side, the home crowd will be hoping J.P. Crawford keeps doing his thing as the team’s most reliable bat—expect him to set the table with a couple knocks and some patient at-bats. Cal Raleigh has been swinging for the fences all year and there’s no reason to believe he won’t keep threatening with the long ball, especially against a Guardians pitching staff that can be a bit homer-prone. Julio Rodriguez is another name that jumps off the page; his all-around play makes him a constant threat, be it legging out singles or causing havoc on the basepaths, and there’s a good chance he finds his way into scoring position at least once.
So who comes out on top in this midseason matchup? It feels like the Mariners have a slight edge at home—not just because of the T-Mobile Park setting, but also the way their lineup seems to pop off when they need it most. The Guardians are bringing in some momentum-swinging bats, but with Seattle’s mix of timely hitting and aggressive baserunning (those stolen bases aren’t a fluke), I’d lean toward the Mariners holding serve and grabbing another win in the series. Of course, baseball’s full of surprises—what do you think, is tonight the night Cleveland breaks the streak?