Cleveland Guardians vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions May 9th 2025

Phillies Rally Past Rays, Extend Winning Run to Cleveland

The Philadelphia Phillies have shown they’re never out of a game. After overcoming a 5-1 deficit to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, the Phillies enter Friday’s opener against the Cleveland Guardians as one of baseball’s hottest teams.

Trea Turner plated the winning run in the 10th inning with a single that scored Brandon Marsh, capping a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory. Marsh had doubled in Edmundo Sosa earlier in the inning, sealing Philadelphia’s second sweep of the season and a 9-2 run since April 26.

“That was crazy,” Marsh said. “A full-team effort.”

The Phillies have now posted six or more runs in seven of their last 10 games. Their explosive offense, anchored by Turner’s .310 batting average, is suddenly looking like the dangerous unit fans expected entering 2025.

Check all the latest Phillies betting props and spreads on the MLB Odds Page.

Trea Turner Finding His Groove

Since April 9, Turner has been on fire. Over a 17-game stretch, he’s batting .397 (29-for-73) with 10 RBIs, while also showing improved discipline with two-strike hitting and opposite-field contact.

“I just need to start pulling it in the air more,” Turner said. “It was nice to see that happen in Tampa.”

He went 2-for-5 on Thursday after recording two hits, two RBIs, and his first homer in nearly three weeks on Wednesday.

With Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Kyle Schwarber heating up as well, Philadelphia’s lineup is tough to navigate. Look for Turner at the top to spark more big innings against Cleveland’s middle-of-the-road pitching.

Guardians Return Home Refreshed After Grueling Stretch

The Cleveland Guardians wrapped up a challenging 23-day schedule with a road win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday and now get a much-needed breather before welcoming the Phillies.

Over that stretch, Cleveland went 14-8, including series wins in Toronto and Washington, to move to 11-10 on the road and solidify their spot in the AL Central race.

“It wasn’t always pretty, but we found ways to win,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “We’re starting to become the team we want to be.”

Daniel Schneeman has been a spark plug recently, scoring eight runs in the past six games, while veteran Carlos Santana delivered the big blow in the last win—a three-run double that capped an eight-run sixth inning.

Pitching Matchup: Nola vs. Williams

Philadelphia Phillies: Aaron Nola (1-5, 4.61 ERA)
Cleveland Guardians: Gavin Williams (2-2, 5.06 ERA)

The Phillies will send Aaron Nola to the mound Friday night, looking for back-to-back strong starts after he blanked Arizona over six innings in his last outing. Despite a rocky start to the season, Nola has shown signs of returning to form, especially when he commands his curveball early.

Nola has faced Cleveland once before, allowing three runs over seven innings in 2023.

The Guardians counter with Gavin Williams, who has been inconsistent but effective at home. He’s allowed just one run in four innings in his only previous appearance vs. Philadelphia (2023) and has a 5.06 ERA over seven starts this season.

Keep tabs on starting pitcher breakdowns and projected innings at the MLB Team Page.

What’s Working for Cleveland?

Despite modest numbers, Cleveland’s lineup has come through in key situations. In recent games, they’ve had:

• An eight-run inning vs. the Nationals
• A six-run inning vs. Washington in the same series
• Strong late-inning production against both Toronto and Washington

Carlos Santana has quietly become a leader again in his third stint with the Guardians, batting .308 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last six games.

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Betting Trends to Watch

• Phillies are 9-2 in their last 11 games
• Guardians are 7-2 in their last 9
• Over is 5-2 in Phillies’ last 7 road games
• Aaron Nola is 0-3 in his last four road starts
• Guardians are 5-2 in Gavin Williams’ last 7 home starts

Visit the MLB Picks Page for public consensus, sharp money movement, and game predictions.

Matchups That Matter

Trea Turner vs. Gavin Williams
Turner is scorching hot, and Williams has been vulnerable to right-handed hitters. If Williams misses inside early, Turner could set the tone quickly.

Carlos Santana vs. Aaron Nola
Santana’s resurgence adds veteran presence to Cleveland’s middle order. Nola needs to keep the ball low or risk a big fly from the streaking 39-year-old.

Bullpens
Philadelphia’s relievers have been solid in tight games lately, while Cleveland’s pen has shown vulnerability in high-leverage spots. This could be the difference in another close matchup.

FAQs

Who is pitching for the Phillies and Guardians on Friday?
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs. Gavin Williams (CLE).

How hot is Trea Turner right now?
Turner is batting .397 over his last 17 games and hitting .310 on the season.

How have the Guardians been performing?
They’ve won 14 of their last 22 games and just finished a strong road trip with series wins in Toronto and Washington.

Is Carlos Santana still producing at age 39?
Yes, he’s hitting .308 with two home runs and nine RBIs in his last six games.

Which team is hotter entering the series?
The Phillies are 9-2 since April 26; the Guardians are 7-2 in their last nine.

Where can I find more game previews and expert picks?
Head to the Expert Betting Guide and Free Plays section for daily coverage.