Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the MLB match.
The Cleveland Guardians return home following a nine-game road trip along the West Coast. The team came up short of a .500 record on that stretch (4:5), although they did secure back-to-back series wins against the San Francisco Giants (2:1) and the Oakland Athletics (2:1). Now, they take on the Toronto Blue Jays, currently ranked fifth in the American League, a squad that has consistently shown fragility in the latter stages of games.
Cleveland Guardians
The team’s defensive reliability has been inconsistent when Slade Cecconi isn’t starting. Logan Allen is slated to take the mound in this matchup. He ranks fourth in the team for total innings pitched (37 1/3) with a 4.21 ERA this season. His past performances against the Toronto Blue Jays haven’t been much better, holding a 4.12 ERA over three career starts. The bullpen, often considered a strength, has proven less dependable this season — all three games against the Toronto Blue Jays this year have produced a minimum of eight runs.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have their own defensive concerns. On Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, closer Jeff Hoffman had a difficult outing: entering with two outs in the eighth, he committed a costly error that tied the game, then gave up a double that turned the score to 2:4. This wasn't an isolated lapse. Over his last 17 innings, Jeff Hoffman has surrendered 17 runs, including seven home runs, yet still retains the confidence of the coaching staff. Reinforcing the closer role is likely to be a key focus for the Toronto Blue Jays as the trade deadline draws near.
Cleveland Guardians vs Toronto Blue Jays Prediction
Across their three head-to-head games this season, the Cleveland Guardians and the Toronto Blue Jays have combined for 25 runs. With both sides holding back their premier arms for later in the series, this game is likely to be high-scoring. Even if the bats are quiet early on, expect the offences to assert themselves as the game progresses.
