Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles Prediction 9-21-23 MLB Picks

The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians clash Thursday in game 1 of an MLB series at Progressive Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Baltimore Orioles Betting Preview

The Orioles look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. The Orioles have a 2.5 game lead in the AL East. The Orioles pitching staff is 10th in ERA (4.02), 10th in WHIP (1.26) and 9th in quality starts (64). The Orioles' offense is 6th in runs per game (5.11), 6th in batting average (.258) and 15th in homers (180). Adley Rutschman leads the Orioles with 150 hits and 75 RBI, while Anthony Santander and Austin Hays have combined for 281 hits and 151 RBI. Grayson Rodriguez gets the ball, and he is 6-4 with a 4.53 ERA and 117 strikeouts this season. This will be Rodriguez’s first career game against the Guardians.

Baltimore Orioles Team Facts

The Orioles have won each of their last seven road games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
The Orioles have covered the run line in each of their last six games against American League opponents following a road loss.
The Orioles have led after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against the Guardians.
The Orioles have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven road games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Orioles' last five games.

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Guardians look to snap a 3-game losing streak. The Guardians are 9 games back in the AL Central. The Guardians pitching staff is 7th in ERA (3.93), 18th in WHIP (1.29) and 12th in quality starts (55). The Guardians' offense is 27th in runs per game (4.09), 15th in batting average (.252) and 30th in homers (117). Steven Kwan leads the Guardians with 165 hits and 54 RBI, while Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez have combined for 291 hits and 137 RBI. The Guardians didn’t list a starting pitcher at the time this article was published.

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

The home team has won each of the Guardians' last seven games.
The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last six games against AL East opponents following a loss.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Guardians' last four home games.
The Guardians have led after 7 innings in each of their last six Thursday night games.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cleveland Guardians rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (117).
The Cleveland Guardians rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (1079).
The Baltimore Orioles rank 3rd in the league for doubles this season (292).
The Baltimore Orioles rank 6th in the league for runs scored this season (776).

Randy’s Pick

Grayson Rodriguez is pretty much the same pitcher no matter where he pitches, as he has ERAs in the 4s, but his .240 allowed batting average on the road is better than the .273 batting average he allows at home. The Orioles are just too consistent to bet against, and they've made bettors money all year. The O's also need to keep winning as they close in on a division crown. The Guardians have underachieved all year, and they can't string together easy offense. Give me the Orioles and whatever the price is.