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Both Teams Look to Snap Losing Skids in Crucial Wild Card Battle
The Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks open a three-game set Monday night at Chase Field, with both clubs desperate to rebound from weekend sweeps.
Cleveland (63-60) has been one of the hottest AL teams since July but was just swept at home by Atlanta. The Guardians trail the Yankees by 3.5 games for the final AL Wild Card spot.
Value Plays, Best Bets & More
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Arizona (60-65) is also on a three-game slide after losing a series in Colorado. The D-backs sit 6.5 games back of the Mets for the last NL Wild Card berth and must turn things around quickly to stay in contention.
The pitching matchup features Cleveland rookie Gavin Williams (7-4, 3.38 ERA) against Arizona ace Zac Gallen (9-12, 5.31 ERA), who has shown marked improvement since the trade deadline.
Match Information
- Sport: Baseball (MLB)
- Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
- Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
- Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
- Start Time: 9:40 PM ET
- Broadcast: Bally Sports Arizona / Bally Sports Great Lakes
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Guardians Moneyline | -104 |
| Diamondbacks ML | -112 |
| Total Runs (O/U) | 9.0 |
The Guardians Can Win If…
Gavin Williams delivers a bounce-back start. The rookie nearly no-hit the Mets two weeks ago but showed fatigue last outing, giving up four runs in three innings to Miami. Williams still owns a strong 3.38 ERA and can match Arizona’s power with Cleveland’s steady lineup.
Offensively, the Guardians will lean on José Ramírez (.291, 25 HR, 85 RBIs) and Steven Kwan, who have good career numbers against Gallen. Cleveland ranks 17th in MLB with 129 HR but has been more opportunistic than explosive.
If Williams pitches deep and minimizes walks — he leads MLB with 67 free passes — Cleveland can grab the opener.
The Diamondbacks Can Win If…
Zac Gallen continues his post-deadline turnaround. After a brutal first half, Gallen has gone 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA over his last three starts, showing sharper command and renewed confidence. He’s 2-0 with a 4.12 ERA in three career starts vs. Cleveland.
Arizona’s offense is built on power, ranking 2nd in slugging and 3rd in HRs. Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte provide speed and pop, while Lourdes Gurriel Jr. adds middle-order consistency. If the D-backs keep pressure on Williams early, their lineup has the firepower to control the game.
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Guardians (63-60) | Diamondbacks (60-65) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 Games | 5-5 | 6-4 |
| Team Batting Avg | .247 (14th MLB) | .253 (7th MLB) |
| Team HR | 129 (17th MLB) | 172 (3rd MLB) |
| Team ERA | 3.92 (9th MLB) | 4.38 (21st MLB) |
The Lean
Oddsmakers give Arizona a slight edge at -112, but both teams are evenly matched. Cleveland has the pitching advantage with Williams, while Arizona’s power-heavy lineup and Gallen’s improved form tilt things their way at home.
Model Projection: Diamondbacks 5, Guardians 4
- Pick: Diamondbacks (-112)
- Total Lean: Under 9.0 (-118)
Check out full MLB odds, betting previews, and score updates every day on the ScoresAndStats MLB page.
