Cleveland Guardians vs Arizona Diamondbacks – MLB Preview – Aug 20, 2025 The Cleveland Gua
The Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up their three-game series Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field in Phoenix. The series is tied 1-1 after Cleveland won the opener 3-1, and Arizona rallied late for a 6-5 win on Tuesday night. Cleveland sits at 64-61 and remains in the Wild Card hunt, while Arizona is 61-66 and trying to stay afloat in the National League standings.
These teams have met often over the past few seasons, with Cleveland holding a 7-3 edge in their last 10 meetings. Tuesday’s game saw Cleveland leave the bases loaded twice, which proved costly. With playoff implications for the Guardians and a chance for Arizona to play spoiler, this series finale carries extra meaning.
Guardians Preview – Rookie Arm Gets the Ball
The Guardians will send left-hander Parker Messick to the mound for his MLB debut. Messick was a second-round draft pick in 2022 and pitched well in Triple-A Columbus this year. He posted a 3.47 ERA over 20 starts, with 119 strikeouts in just under 100 innings. In his last five starts, he was even better, with a 2.93 ERA and an 0.88 WHIP.
Cleveland’s lineup is anchored by Jose Ramirez, who continues to drive in runs, and Steven Kwan, who is among the league leaders in on-base percentage. The Guardians average 3.97 runs per game, and their offense has leaned heavily on timely hitting rather than power. They will need to find a way to score early against Brandon Pfaadt to ease the pressure on their rookie starter.
Pitching has been Cleveland’s strength. Their staff carries a 3.88 ERA, one of the best in the American League. The bullpen has been dependable with arms like Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Jakob Junis keeping games close late. With multiple starters injured, including John Means and Ben Lively, the Guardians are asking more from their young pitchers like Messick.
Diamondbacks Preview – Pfaadt Looks to Deliver at Home
The Diamondbacks will counter with right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who enters at 12-8 with a 5.08 ERA. He has been inconsistent, allowing 151 hits, which is one of the highest totals among National League pitchers. Despite his struggles, he has managed to keep Arizona competitive and already owns a win over Cleveland from last season.
Arizona’s offense has shown life with a recent lineup shift. Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll have been batting 1-2-3, and the group is hitting a combined .323 over the last week. Carroll added two triples on Tuesday, giving him 16 on the season, the most in the majors. Marte has been steady all year, while Perdomo provides speed and on-base ability.
The Diamondbacks are scoring 4.92 runs per game, but their pitching has been a problem, allowing nearly five runs per game. The bullpen has posted a 4.42 ERA, and injuries to relievers like Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk, and Ryan Thompson have left the staff thin. Arizona has been forced to rely on younger arms and journeymen to get outs in late innings.
Betting Prediction
The current odds list Arizona as a -130 favorite with Cleveland at +110. The total is set at 9.0 runs, with bettors split on the Over/Under. Cleveland has been strong against the run line on the road this season, cashing in 35 of their last 57 away games. Arizona has done well in the first five innings at home, winning 29 of their last 45 in that spot.
This game comes down to how Messick handles his debut. Cleveland’s bullpen is deeper and could carry them if he can get through five innings. Arizona’s lineup, however, has been hot at the top, and Pfaadt has the edge in experience. Given the Guardians’ offensive struggles and Arizona’s ability to score at home, the Diamondbacks should be able to take the series.
Pick: Diamondbacks -130 / Over 9.0
