Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Guardians – Series Preview (August 12-14): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4

The Cubs (59-60) were able to win both games against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field this weekend to move within a single game of the .500 mark for the first time since June 6. They have won 8 out of 10 overall and have moved into third place in the NL Central. Chicago’s pitching staff continues to lead the way but the offense is finally starting to show some signs of life after scuffling for months.

The North Siders are within three games of the final Wild Card spot but have to climb over four teams to get there. They need to keep the momentum going if they want to be a big factor in the race. Next up is a set of three in Cleveland, a place with a lot of special memories for Cubs fans.

The Guardians (69-49) have the lowest payroll in baseball and had almost no expectations before the 2024 season. They defied convention with a blistering 51-26 start that had them with the best record in the American League. Manager Stephen Vogt‘s squad has hit a bit of a skid since, going 18-23 and seeing a nine-game AL Central Division lead shrink to just 3.5.

Cleveland has a team OPS of .709, which puts them right in the middle of the pack at 15th in baseball. Left fielder Steven Kwan has been dynamic in the leadoff spot, hitting .325 with a .859 OPS. The heart of the lineup is still third baseman José Ramirez, who is having an MVP-quality season posting an .874 OPS with 31 homers, 25 doubles, 97 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.

The Guardians’ pitching staff is the stronger aspect of the team with a 3.76 ERA that is fifth-best in baseball. However, there is a huge split between the starting rotation and the bullpen as the latter has massively outperformed the former. Tanner Bibee has been the ace of the staff with a 3.39 ERA, but the Cubs won’t face him in the series and the rotation has a 4.56 ERA overall.

The relief pitching has been dominant for Cleveland with a very nice 2.69 ERA that is the best in all of baseball. Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Tim Herrin have all been lights-out most of the season. Closer Emmanuel Clase, prominent in trade rumors all off-season, has been nothing short of incredible with 35 saves and a 0.66 ERA in 54.1 innings.

It goes without saying that this should be a much more difficult challenge for the Cubs than the White Sox were. They have to avoid falling behind because a comeback against Cleveland’s bullpen will be very difficult. Chicago now has a chance to make things very interesting, let’s see if they are up for the task.

Game Time and Broadcast Info

• Monday, August 12 at 5:40pm CT on Marquee.
• Tuesday, August 13 at 5:40pm CT on Marquee.
• Wednesday, August 14 at 5:40pm CT on Marquee.

Starting Pitchers

What to Watch For

• Cody Bellinger got on base seven times in the two games against the White Sox.
• Assad has pitched more than four innings only once in five starts since returning from the injured list.
• Isaac Paredes had a home run and a double against the Sox.