Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Guardians: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Through the first two games of this epic four-game series in Cleveland, the Guardians have made a statement against the Baltimore Orioles, putting all of baseball on notice, as if the rest of the sport didn’t already know.

En route to 10-3 and 8-4 wins, the Guardians have not only solidified the top record in the American League, for the moment, but the best record in all of baseball.

Before the Guardians’ hype train blasts off into outer space, we believe the Orioles bring them back down to earth today and prove why they are one of baseball’s best in their own right.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Guardians betting picks and predictions

Orioles -1.5 (7/5)

The simple fact is most four-game series between great teams end in a 2-2 split. The challenge for the Orioles is that they are down 2-0 and in hostile territory.

The O’s should have the pitching and offensive advantage. Zach Eflin, the Orioles’ biggest starting pitcher addition at the trade deadline, is a reliable veteran who has pitched into the fifth inning in all but one of his 20 starts this year.

While he will be handling a predominantly left-handed hitting lineup, the Guardians post just the 18th best OPS vs. right-handed pitching.  

Opposite Eflin, for the Guardians, will be the young southpaw Joey Cantillo, making just his second MLB start. Cantillo is a touted prospect, ranking in the top 10 of the Guardians’ system.

Still, in his MLB debut earlier this week against the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently post the best OPS against lefties, Cantillo lasted just 3.1 innings, surrendering four earned runs.

The Orioles post the sixth-best OPS against lefties, trailing the Phillies by .15, and just added right-handed power bat Eloy Jimenez at the deadline, who has always crushed lefties. Facing the Phillies and the Orioles back to back is not exactly a warm welcome to the MLB, and we expect some more growing pains for Cantillo. 

With the O’s in need of a win, look for them to exploit the young Cantillo, getting the bats rolling before exploding to a comfortable lead and getting into that Guardians bullpen early.

Over 8.5 Total Runs (20/23)

With 13 runs the first game and 12 runs the second, why can’t this trend continue? This time, the Orioles will do the heavy lifting in the scoring column. And even if the Orioles don’t manage to win this one by 2+ runs, consider this bet a bit of a hedge. Eflin’s last start against the Guardians came in August of 2023, and the Guardians saw him well, to put it nicely. 

Eflin lasted just three innings, surrendering six earned runs on nine hits. While we expect a pitcher of Eflin’s caliber to bounce back in this appearance against a team that is below average against RHP, perhaps the Guardians pick the ball up out of his hand well.

If that’s the case, this could be an exciting primetime shootout because we do not expect the Orioles’ deep and varied lineup to remain dormant for the third consecutive game. Trust in the likes of Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutchmann, Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander and top prospect call-up, third baseman, right-handed slugger Coby Mayo - who just made his debut yesterday - to do some damage with the bats today. 

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Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Guardians odds

Baltimore Orioles ML	-120
Cleveland Guardians ML	+100
Run Line	Orioles -1.5
Total	O/U 8.5

Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Guardians player props

Anthony Santander (BAL)	+375
Josh Naylor (CLE)	+425
Gunnar Henderson (BAL)	+475
Jose Ramirez (CLE)	+475
Eloy Jimenez (BAL)	+500
Ryan Mountcastle (BAL)	+525

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.