Guardians Aim to Cool Off Dodgers, Ohtani

Cleveland Guardians vs Los Angeles Dodgers May 27th 2025

The Dodgers will visit the Guardians at Progressive Field on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The game is set for a 6:10 PM start under the lights. Fans can expect a night game atmosphere as these two teams meet.

On the mound, the Dodgers will have Dustin May starting. He has an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.24. The Guardians will counter with Tanner Bibee, who has an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.21. These pitchers will look to set the tone for their teams in this matchup.

Dodgers vs Guardians Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Dodgers vs. Guardians
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Betting Odds: Dodgers -1.5 (+121), Guardians +1.5 (-146), Dodgers MoneyLine -136, Guardians MoneyLine +114, Over/Under 8.5

The Dodgers Can Win If…

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a strong performance against the Cleveland Guardians, winning 7-2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched six solid innings, allowing only two runs and striking out seven. Key hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith each hit a home run, contributing to the team’s offensive power.

The Dodgers’ batting stats show why they can win this game. They lead the league with a .263 batting average and are second in home runs with 84. Their ability to get on base, shown by a .341 on-base percentage, keeps pressure on opposing pitchers.

In the upcoming game, the Dodgers will rely on Dustin May as their starting pitcher. May has a 4.09 ERA and a WHIP of 1.24, which suggests he can keep the Guardians’ hitters in check. With hitters like Ohtani and Freeman in the lineup, the Dodgers have the firepower to win.

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are looking to bounce back after their recent loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they fell 7-2. Despite the defeat, José Ramírez had a solid performance, going 2-for-4 with two doubles. Gabriel Arias also contributed with two hits, showing that the lineup can produce when needed.

The Guardians have a strong chance to win due to their solid pitching. Tanner Bibee, who will start against the Dodgers, holds a 3.57 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. His recent outing against the Detroit Tigers was impressive, where he pitched seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Offensively, the Guardians have some power in their lineup. Kyle Manzardo leads the team with ten home runs, and José Ramírez is hitting .312 with nine home runs. With players like Steven Kwan, who has a .314 batting average, the Guardians have the potential to put up runs and secure a win.

The Lean

The Dodgers are favored with a moneyline of -136 against the Guardians at +114. The Dodgers have a strong hitting lineup, ranking first in batting average and second in on-base percentage. The Guardians struggle at the plate, ranking 18th in batting average. My model projects the Dodgers to win with a score of 5-3.

The over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. The Dodgers’ powerful offense and the Guardians’ pitching challenges suggest a higher scoring game. My model projects a total of 8 runs, slightly under the line. The recommendation is to take the under at 8.5 (-104).

Guardians Look to Slow Down Dodgers, Red-Hot Shohei Ohtani

You could feel the buzz before the first pitch. You could hear it erupt the second Shohei Ohtani connected. And just like that, the Los Angeles Dodgers reminded everyone why they’re baseball’s reigning powerhouse.

Ohtani’s leadoff home run on the game’s first pitch ignited a 7-2 Dodgers victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, extending L.A.’s dominance and fueling anticipation for Game 2 of this star-studded series.

Now, Cleveland turns to rising ace Tanner Bibee to silence the Dodgers’ bats and snap Ohtani’s historic streak.

Shohei Ohtani: Leading Off and Leading the League

Ohtani’s first-pitch homer marked his MLB-leading 19th of the season, reinforcing that no stage is too big, no spotlight too bright. It was his second straight game with a leadoff blast—something he’s now done five times this season.

And it wasn’t just power. Ohtani also drew two walks, working deep counts and keeping Guardians pitchers off balance all night.

“It’s good to get a 1-0 lead on Cleveland and head into tomorrow with a little momentum,” said Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who also walked twice.

Ohtani’s 19 home runs through 54 games tie for the second-most in Dodgers franchise history—trailing only Gil Hodges’ 20 in 1951.

Catch more breakout star performances like Ohtani’s on our MLB Picks page.

Health Check: All Systems Go

There were minor concerns about Ohtani’s health after he threw 22 pitches in a simulated outing Sunday, but Monday’s performance erased all doubt. Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani likely won’t throw again before Wednesday’s finale, but it’s “more on Shohei.”

A baseball player in a blue jersey swings a bat in a sunny stadium, with a crowd of fans visible in the background.

Dodgers’ Lineup: Relentless and Ruthless

Cleveland starter Gavin Williams was completely thrown off his rhythm by L.A.’s patient approach. He walked six batters and threw 109 pitches in just 4.2 innings.

“They foul off good pitches,” Williams said. “You have to be perfect against them.”

The Dodgers matched their season-high with eight walks, grinding out at-bats and forcing Cleveland to burn through its bullpen early.

Guardians Lean on Bibee to Counter the Surge

Bibee takes the mound Tuesday with an impressive 1.46 ERA at home and a 4-4 record. Though he lost his only career start against the Dodgers last season, allowing two runs in five innings, he’s matured into Cleveland’s top pitching option in 2025.

The Dodgers, however, are no ordinary opponent. They lead the league in on-base percentage and rarely chase pitches outside the zone.

Still, Bibee might be Cleveland’s best shot at halting their momentum. He’s held opponents scoreless in three of his last four home starts.

Explore detailed pitcher trends on the MLB Odds page.

Ohtani vs Bibee: Round Two

Ohtani is 2-for-6 with a homer in limited action against Bibee. But both players are vastly improved since that last meeting. The key for Bibee will be mixing up speeds and locating high fastballs, which Ohtani tends to chase less often.

Dustin May Looks to Keep Dodgers Rolling

May’s 2-4 record and 4.09 ERA may not jump off the page, but he’s coming off his best start of the season: six innings, one run allowed in a win over Arizona.

This will be May’s first career appearance against Cleveland, and he’ll need to navigate around a red-hot Jose Ramirez to keep momentum on L.A.’s side.

Jose Ramirez Keeps Guardians Competitive

19-Game Hitting Streak: MVP-Level Production

Ramirez extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games on Monday, going 2-for-4 with two doubles. During this stretch, he’s batting .387 with four homers and 11 RBIs—carrying a Guardians lineup that has lacked consistency elsewhere.

Supporting Cast Must Step Up

With Ramirez doing the heavy lifting, Cleveland needs more from hitters like Steven Kwan, Josh Naylor, and Andres Gimenez to stay competitive against elite rotations.

Especially against a club like the Dodgers, one star isn’t enough.

Beyond Baseball: Dodgers’ Economic Impact

Ohtani’s star power extends far beyond the field. Monday’s game at Progressive Field was Cleveland’s third sellout of 2025, driven largely by Ohtani’s presence. The stadium featured Japanese-themed advertising and large international media coverage.

There are limited tickets left for the rest of the series, signaling continued excitement over Ohtani and the Dodgers.

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What’s at Stake in Game 2?

For the Guardians

Snapping the Dodgers’ streak is priority No. 1.
Bibee needs run support—Cleveland must capitalize with RISP.
Limit free passes—Monday’s walks were costly.

For the Dodgers

Keep Ohtani red-hot and feeding off leadoff opportunities.
Let May pitch to contact and trust the defense.
Maintain plate discipline and wear down Bibee’s pitch count.

FAQs

Why was Shohei Ohtani’s first pitch home run significant?

It was his 19th of the year and came on the first pitch of the game, setting the tone for a Dodgers win and extending his streak of leadoff homers.

How has Tanner Bibee pitched at home?

Bibee holds a 1.46 ERA in four home starts this season, making him Cleveland’s most reliable arm at Progressive Field.

What’s Dustin May’s recent performance?

May is coming off a strong six-inning outing with one earned run allowed. He’ll face Cleveland for the first time.

How is Jose Ramirez performing?

Ramirez is on a 19-game hitting streak, batting .387 with 11 RBIs during that span. He’s the hottest Guardian by far.

How’s Ohtani doing overall?

He leads MLB in home runs (19), has five leadoff shots, and is slugging with consistency—his health looks 100%.

What made Monday’s game special in Cleveland?

It was a sellout with a large Japanese fan presence and international media due to Ohtani’s appeal, showcasing baseball’s growing global draw.

Final Take: Guardians Face Their Toughest Test

The Guardians have been quietly building momentum, and Tanner Bibee’s emergence is a major reason why. But beating the Dodgers—with their elite patience, relentless lineup, and Shohei Ohtani playing MVP baseball—is a whole different challenge.

For Cleveland to stand a chance, the rest of the offense must wake up and support their ace. For the Dodgers, it’s about keeping the engine running—and letting Shohei lead the way.

Tuesday night feels like a playoff preview. Don’t miss it.

Cleveland Guardians vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Predictions May 27th 2025