Joseph D’Amico

Cleveland Guardians.

You may not realize this because it’s only the third week of June. But this is a very big matchup between Cleveland and Chicago. These two teams are tied atop the American League Central, both playing .519 baseball. The White Sox took Game 1 of this series yesterday, 6-5. Prior to that, the Guardians have dominated this rivalry, taking three in a row and seven of the last eight overall matchups in this division rivalry. Neither team is playing their best baseball of the season at the moment. Cleveland is just 4-6 their last 10, while Chicago is also 4-6 their last 10. But I like the pitching matchup here, my friends. Parker Messick and Sean Burke are scheduled. The Guardians left-hander is a very respectable 7-3 with a 2.70 ERA on the campaign, as the team has won 10 of his 15 outings. In 14 of those 15 outings, he has allowed three runs or less, and that my friends, is very solid pitching. On the road in 2026, he has been strong, going 4-2 with the 2.48 ERA. In his only start against the White Sox, back in last September, he earned the victory as he went six strong innings, allowing just one earned run. The Chicago right-hander is 4-4 with a 3.89 ERA on the campaign. At home this season, he is winless at 0-3 with a 4.44 ERA, and over his career in four appearances, which includes three starts against today’s opponent, he is also winless at 0-2 with a 4.40 ERA. I really do like the pitching matchup here. I really feel it favors the visiting team. Take the Cleveland Guardians. Thank you.

Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles took the series-opener yesterday, 2-1. They have dominated Minnesota. Going back several seasons, they are 7-3 the last 10 overall meetings. Over the last several games, the Dodgers lineup has struggled a bit. But that’s why I like them so much today. On this season, their offense ranks #3 in the Majors in runs scored, #1 in team batting average, #1 in OPS, and #2 in home runs. This is a team that averages over 5.15 runs per game. As far as Minnesota goes, statistically, over recent contest, their offense has come alive. However, I think things change here because of the pitching. Going back to their offense, they do own respectable numbers in run scored, team batting average, OPS, and home runs. But (and there’s always a but) their pitching has been absolutely atrocious. They rank 27th in team ERA (4.85), compared to the Los Angeles staff, which ranks fourth with a team ERA of 3.43. Today’s starters are scheduled to be Wrobleski and Rojas. The Dodgers left-hander has been outstanding this season, earning an 8-2 record, with an anemic ERA of 2.72. The team has won nine of his last 12 starts. On the road, he is perfect at 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA, and against American League opponents, he has won three straight going back to April 6. The Twins left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA. But the rookie has yet to go more than 4.0 IP, and has not had to face a lineup like this one today. I feel the Los Angeles lineup will explode today against an inexperienced youngster. Take the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thank you.

Joe D’s MLB is HOT, HOT, HOT, going 21-7 L28. Join me today as we SCORCH THE BOOKS on the diamond with my 2-0 MLB MONEYMAKER, and my AL CENTRAL GAME OF THE WEEK.

Tuesday’s FREE WINNER: Arizona Diamondbacks.

Game 957.

4:45 PM PST/7:45 PM EST.

It seems as though the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals are in very similar situations. Both teams are playing decent baseball. However, Arizona plays in the National League West, a division in which Los Angeles and San Diego are certainly separating themselves from the rest of the class, and St. Louis plays in the Central, trailing one of the best teams in all of baseball, Milwaukee. The Cardinals took the series-opener yesterday, 3-2, which handed the Diamondbacks their third consecutive overall loss. I will admit, the St. Louis home record of 22-17 stands out, compared to the Arizona road record of 15-22. But I do like the pitching matchup here. The D-Backs will send Eduardo Rodriguez to hill, while the Cards give Kyle Leahy the nod. The Arizona left-hander has amassed some very respectable numbers this season, going 6-2 with an ERA of 2.44, as the team has won 11 of his last 13 turns. He’s also done well when they travel, going 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA on the road this season. The St. Louis right-hander is 5-4, with a 4.63 ERA in 2026, as he comes off several consecutive tough outings in a row. The team has dropped four of his last five starts, and at home this season, he is just 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA. The 29-year-old is showing signs of fatigue, right now. I feel going up against this lineup will hurt him, while the Diamondbacks pitching staff stifles the Cardinals lineup. Take Arizona. Thank you.