Oakland (41-57) vs Cleveland (46-49)
July 18, 2025 at 07:10 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Cleveland -140 — Over/Under: +8.5
The Athletics and the Cleveland Guardians meet Friday in MLB action from Progressive Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Athletics will trot out JP Sears for the start here and Sears is 7-7 with a 4.79 ERA and 79 strikeouts this season. Slade Cecconi will get the start for the Guardians here and is 4-4 with a 3.44 ERA and 56 strikeouts this season.
Athletics Recap
The Athletics come into this game looking to build on their 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out to sit at 41-57 entering the all-star break. After this series, the Athletics will head on the road once again for a division series against the Texas Rangers.
Athletics Win 4 Of Their Last 6 Games Entering Break
Jacob Wilson leads the Athletics with 113 hits, 17 doubles and a .332 batting average, while Tyler Soderstrom has 92 hits with 14 doubles, 18 home runs and 56 RBIs this season. Brent Rooker has 106 hits with 22 doubles, 20 home runs and 54 RBIs but also has 92 strikeouts this season while JJ Bleday has 39 hits with 10 doubles. Shea Langeliers has 55 hits with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs while Lawrence Butler also chipped in 16 stolen bases and 24 doubles as part of his 92 hits as well as 13 home runs and 40 RBIs.
Why the Athletics will win
The Guardians have lost each of their last seven games at Progressive Field.
The Athletics have won each of their last six road games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as favorites following an extra-innings win.
The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last six games against American League opponents.
Athletics Player Prop Facts
Shea Langeliers has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against AL Central opponents.
Shea Langeliers has hit a home run in three of his last four road appearances with the Athletics against AL opponents.
JP Sears has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances.
Brent Rooker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last eight games as underdogs.
Jacob Wilson ranks T2nd in the league in Hits (112) this season.
Cleveland Guardians Recap
The Cleveland Guardians come into this game looking to add on to their 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox last time out to sit at 46-49 on the year. After this series, the Guardians will take on the Baltimore Orioles at home.
Guardians Win 6 Of Their Last 7
Steven Kwan has 103 hits as part of a .285 batting average and 6 home runs, 20 doubles, and 32 RBIs. Kyle Manzardo has 58 hits with 11 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs, and 37 RBIs as well this year. Gabriel Arias has 17 doubles but also 88 strikeouts, and Manzardo has 75 strikeouts so far this season. Arias has also added 6 home runs and 31 RBIs, and Jose Ramirez has chipped in 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. Carlos Santana has also added 72 hits with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs this season.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
The Athletics have lost each of their last seven games at Progressive Field.
The Guardians have won nine of their last 10 home games against the Athletics.
The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last five games against AL West opponents.
The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
Brayan Rocchio has recorded a Double in four of the Guardians’ last five night games.
Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in each of the Guardians’ last four night games.
Carlos Santana has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances with his team as a home favorite against AL West opponents.
Jose Ramirez ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (29) this season.
Total Runs Facts
Seven of the Athletics’ last eight games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Seven of the Guardians’ last eight games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Athletics vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction
I’m backing the Athletics here. Cleveland entered the break hot but I’m still not holding my breath with this team against left-handed pitching and while JP Sears has been far from automatic, I think he’s still a solid option for an Athletics team that’s still been highly competitive and getting Sears out of that hitter’s haven in Sacramento should only help him further here. I think the Athletics can do enough to get to Cecconi here and get the win. Give me the Athletics here.