In the fascinating world of Major League Baseball, we turn our attention to an upcoming match scheduled for June 16, 2023, between the Cleveland Guardians and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The game will kick off at 9:40 PM GMT-4 at the Diamondbacks’ home field, Chase Field, located in Phoenix, AZ. This Guardians vs Diamondbacks prediction is here to give you an edge when placing your bets and making your MLB picks.
Initial Betting Odds
Currently, the betting odds are leaning towards the Arizona Diamondbacks, with US odds set at -152, equivalent to decimal odds of 1.66. On the other hand, the Cleveland Guardians are underdogs in this match-up, boasting US odds of 139, translating to decimal odds of 2.39.
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Form and Historical Performance
Before we dive deeper into our Guardians vs Diamondbacks prediction, it’s critical to consider both teams’ form and historical performances. The unique strengths and weaknesses of each team can significantly affect the game’s outcome. (Team performance information would go here if available)
Betting Tips
When making your MLB predictions, bear in mind that while the bookmakers’ odds reflect the most likely outcome, they don’t always align with the final result. Each game is influenced by a myriad of factors, including starting pitchers, team form, injuries, and even the day’s weather.
In the next part of this article, we will delve into a more detailed analysis, considering the critical factors that might sway this game, including team statistics, starting pitchers, and bullpen rankings. So, if you’re keen on making informed baseball betting decisions, stay tuned.

Cleveland Guardians vs Arizona Diamondbacks: Statistical Analysis
To better understand the potential outcome of this match-up, let’s take a closer look at both teams’ offensive statistics this season.
Cleveland Guardians Offensive Performance
The Guardians have played 68 games so far. Unfortunately, their offensive performance has been underwhelming, as indicated by their average runs per game (R/G) of 3.84, which places them 27th in the league. The league’s average R/G is 4.55.
Their home run (HR) record isn’t too promising either, with 44 HRs ranking them at the bottom of the league (30th), compared to the league average of 79.2. Also, with 244 runs batted in (RBI), the Guardians find themselves 28th in the league, far below the league average of 301.13.
The Guardians’ offensive struggles continue with a batting average (BA) of 0.243 (19th in the league), an on-base percentage (OBP) of 0.309 (23rd), and a slugging percentage (SLG) of 0.366 (28th). These figures are all below the league averages of 0.247, 0.319, and 0.408, respectively. Furthermore, the Guardians’ OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.674 is ranked 28th, significantly lower than the league average of 0.728.
On a positive note, the Guardians are doing well in terms of stolen bases (SB), ranking 10th with 53 SBs, above the league average of 49.6.
Arizona Diamondbacks Offensive Performance
The Diamondbacks’ offensive statistics are considerably better. Having played 69 games, the Diamondbacks average 5.14 R/G, ranking them 5th in the league and well above the league’s average.
The Diamondbacks have hit 79 HRs, sitting in the middle of the pack at 14th, matching the league average. They shine in terms of RBIs, ranking 5th with 340, much higher than the league average of 301.13.
The team also excels in BA (0.263), OBP (0.328), and SLG (0.437), ranking 5th, 10th, and 5th, respectively, all of which exceed the league averages. Additionally, the Diamondbacks’ OPS of 0.765 and OPS+ of 109 are both ranked 5th, significantly outperforming the league averages of 0.728 and 99.83.
In terms of SBs, the Diamondbacks are doing exceptionally well, ranking 5th with 65 SBs, comfortably above the league average of 49.6.
Based on these offensive statistics, the Arizona Diamondbacks seem to have a significant edge over the Cleveland Guardians. However, the game of baseball isn’t just about offense. In the next section, we will take a look at the teams’ pitching stats and bullpen rankings to provide a comprehensive analysis for our Guardians vs Diamondbacks prediction.
Lineup Analysis
Potential Lineup for Cleveland Guardians
The potential lineup for the Cleveland Guardians boasts a few standout performers, including Jose Ramirez with a .289 BA, 10 HRs, 40 RBIs, a .498 SLG, and a 2.3 WAR, making him a key player for the Guardians. Josh Naylor also brings solid offensive power to the team, with a .288 BA, 8 HRs, and 50 RBIs.
Steven Kwan and Amed Rosario have decent speed on the basepaths, with 11 and 8 SBs respectively. However, the Guardians lineup shows some potential weaknesses. For instance, Mike Zunino’s BA is a low .177, and his WAR is in the negatives (-0.1), indicating he’s been slightly below a replacement-level player.
Potential Lineup for Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks’ potential lineup also features several high performers. Corbin Carroll stands out with a .306 BA, 14 HRs, and 35 RBIs. His SLG of .586 and WAR of 3.3 demonstrate his valuable contribution to the team’s offense.
Other notable players include Christian Walker with 13 HRs and 42 RBIs, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., with a .285 BA, 10 HRs, and 39 RBIs. Additionally, Carroll and Jake McCarthy contribute significantly to the Diamondbacks’ speed on the bases, with 19 and 13 SBs respectively.
Carson Kelly is a point of concern with a BA, HR, RBI, SLG, and WAR of 0, indicating he has not had any offensive contribution this season.
When comparing lineups, the Diamondbacks appear to have a more potent offensive lineup. However, the effectiveness of a lineup often depends on the strength of the opposing team’s pitching. In the following section, we will evaluate the pitching matchups and bullpen rankings to provide a holistic view for our Guardians vs Diamondbacks prediction.
Pitching and Bullpen Analysis
The starting pitchers for the game are Triston McKenzie for the Cleveland Guardians and Zac Gallen for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
McKenzie has only made 2 starts this season with a 0-1 record and a 4.5 ERA. His high K/9 of 13.5 and low BB/9 of 3.6 show he has good control, but his WHIP of 1.2 suggests he allows a fair number of baserunners. His xERA of 2.29 and SIERA of 3.1 indicate that he has potential to perform better.
On the other hand, Gallen is having an impressive season with a 7-2 record and a 3.09 ERA over 14 starts. His K/9 of 9.92 and BB/9 of 2.03 suggest he has a good control, and his xERA of 3.95 and SIERA of 3.5 are in line with his overall performance.
In terms of the bullpen, the Arizona Diamondbacks are ranked 13 out of 30 teams, well above the Cleveland Guardians who sit at 24. This bullpen strength could be a significant factor in the later innings of the game.
MLB Betting Model Prediction
The MLB betting model predicts a close game, with a slight edge to the Diamondbacks, projecting them to win 52.74% of the time. The model does not qualify a full game moneyline bet. However, for the first half of the game, the model suggests the value is with the Cleveland Guardians.
- Best Bet: Cleveland Guardians 1st5 +0.5 1.88 (1 unit)
AI Prediction and Value Bet
Given the available stats and the sportsbook odds, the AI prediction leans slightly towards the Arizona Diamondbacks for the full game due to their stronger offense and bullpen, even though the Guardians have a slight edge in the first half.
As for the value bet, considering the Diamondbacks’ offensive strength and their better-ranked bullpen, the sportsbook odds of -152 (1.66 in decimal odds) for the Diamondbacks seem to be quite fair. However, the Guardians’ odds of 139 (2.39 in decimal odds) might provide more value, given that the game is expected to be fairly close. This is especially true considering McKenzie’s impressive control and potential for a strong start. Therefore, the value bet for this game would be on the Cleveland Guardians, considering the potential upside and their higher odds. Please keep in mind, this is a risky bet given the offensive and bullpen disparities. As always, bet responsibly.
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