Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cleveland Guardians August 2 Betting Preview

While most of the focus on Tuesday will be on the trade deadline, the Cleveland Guardians (53-49) will try to secure a series win as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (45-57) in the second of a three-game series. The Guardians will host this one at Progressive Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.

Cleveland was able to take the first game on a walk-off hit by Amed Rosario in the 11th inning. Rosario also did damage in the third inning, hitting a two-run home run as part of three hits on the night. Andres Gimenez added four hits of his own in the win.

For Arizona, Zach Davies only lasted two innings, giving up four runs on three hits. As a result, Arizona had to use eight different relievers over 8.2 innings. Mark Melancon took the loss giving up two runs (none earned) in 1.2 innings of relief.

Daulton Varsho and Christian Walker both went deep in this one. For Walker, he had two hits and three runs batted in while Alek Thomas added three hits in the defeat.

Guardians August 2 Betting Odds

The Guardians are the favorites Tuesday playing at home. They are -138 to win while the Diamondbacks’ moneyline sits at +118. The runline features Arizona +1.5 (-184), and the over/under for total runs is 7.5.

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Pitching Matchup

Arizona will send 26-year-old righty Zac Gallen to the mound to try to even up the series Tuesday. In 19 games, Gallen is 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and has 101 strikeouts in 105.2 innings. He has allowed just three combined earned runs in his last 18.2 innings of work.

The Guardians will counter with righty Triston McKenzie. The 25-year-old is 7-7 in 19 games with a 3.24 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and he has 106 strikeouts in 114 innings. McKenzie took the loss in his last outing giving up four runs in seven innings of work to the Red Sox.

Diamondbacks Can Be A Pesky Opponent

As Monday night’s game certainly proved, the Arizona Diamondbacks can be a pesky opponent. Despite being last in their division, 23.5 games behind the Dodgers, they still have some pop that can make you pay if you aren’t careful.

One of their biggest threats is first baseman Christian Walker. A potential trade candidate before Tuesday’s deadline, Walker is hitting just .203/.307/.448, but he leads the team with 24 home runs and 55 runs batted in.

This will be the first time that any Diamondbacks’ hitter has faced McKenzie, but against righties, Daulton Varsho has been one of their best all-around hitters. In 251 at bats versus righties, he is hitting .243/.326/.466 with 14 home runs and 41 runs batted in.

Guardians Trying To Keep Pressure On The Twins

At 53-49, the Cleveland Guardians sit in second place in the AL Central, just a single game behind the Minnesota Twins. Trying to keep the pressure on the Twins, Cleveland will look to improve their 26-19 home record and pick up another win against Arizona Tuesday.

Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, and Amed Rosario are the only players that have had at bats against Gallen in their careers, but they haven’t had much success. Only Rosario has a hit and collectively they are just 1 for 13 against the righty.

Over the last couple weeks, Andres Gimenez has been the Guardians’ hottest hitter. In 44 at bats during that stretch, he is hitting .341/.408/.591 with two home runs, seven runs batted in, six runs scored, and four stolen bases.

Steven Kwan has also been red hot. He is hitting .386 in his last 57 at bats with 10 runs scored.

Cleveland Will Have Tough Matchup Against Gallen

This season, Zac Gallen has quietly been one of Arizona’s best pitchers. For a Guardians’ team that ranks 15th in scoring (4.40 runs per game; 4.23 at home), they could have a bit of trouble putting runs on the board.

Luckily, Cleveland has their own solid starter going in Triston McKenzie. This one will truly be a good pitcher’s duel, reflected in the 7.5 over/under, but if the Guardians can get even a few runs on the board against Gallen, McKenzie should be able to take care of the rest.