Cleveland Guardians vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction 5/22/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Cleveland Guardians and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Friday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cleveland Guardians vs. Philadelphia Phillies prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Cleveland Guardians will start Gavin Williams here and Williams is 6-3 with a 3.67 ERA and 73 strikeouts this season. In his career, Williams is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts against the Phillies. The Philadelphia Phillies will trot out Cristopher Sanchez for the start here and is 5-2 with a 1.82 ERA and 80 strikeouts this season. This will be Sanchez’s second career start against the Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians Recap

The Cleveland Guardians come into this game looking to build on their 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers last time out to improve to 30-22 this season. After this series, the Guardians will head home for a series against the Washington Nationals.

Guardians Win 6 In A Row

Chase DeLauter has 46 hits with 10 doubles, 7 home runs and 30 RBIs while Steven Kwan has 35 hits with 7 doubles, a home run and 11 RBIs and Jose Ramirez has 45 hits with 11 doubles, 8 home runs and 24 RBIs this season. Brayan Rocchio has also added 47 hits with 7 doubles, 4 home runs and 27 RBIs this season while Angel Martinez has 41 hits with 8 doubles, 9 homers and 26 RBIs and Rhys Hoskins has added 20 hits with 7 doubles, 4 home runs and 18 RBIs. Daniel Schneemann has 33 hits with 9 doubles, 4 home runs and 19 RBIs this season. 

Philadelphia Phillies Recap

The Philadelphia Phillies come into this game looking to bounce back from their 9-4 loss at the hands of Cincinnati last time out to drop to 25-25 this season. After this series, the Phillies will head on the road for a series against the San Diego Padres.

Phillies Drop Back-To-Back Games

Adolis Garcia has 36 hits with 6 doubles, 4 home runs and 14 RBIs while Kyle Schwarber has 41 hits with 8 doubles, 20 home runs and 36 RBIs. Brandon Marsh has 54 hits with 9 doubles, 4 home runs and 22 RBIs while Justin Crawford also has 36 hits with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 12 RBIs. Trea Turner has 48 hits with 9 doubles, 5 home runs and 16 RBIs and Bryce Harper’s added 48 hits with 9 doubles, 12 home runs and 31 RBIs this season.

Cleveland Guardians @ Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends: May 22, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Cristopher Sanchez      Record this season: 5-2      ERA: 1.82
• Home Record: 4-1
• Last 5 against Guardians: 0-1

Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win

• The Phillies have won each of their last 10 games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have lost each of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Phillies have covered the run line each of their last 10 games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Phillies have won the first inning in five of their last six games as favorites.
• The Phillies have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven home games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Phillies have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Gavin Williams      Record this season: 6-3      ERA: 3.67
• Road Record: 3-2
• Last 5 against Phillies: 1-0

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Guardians have won each of their last nine games after playing the previous day.
• The Phillies have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a home loss.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the Phillies’ last seven games.
• The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games following a home loss.
• The Phillies have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against AL Central opponents.
• The Guardians have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs.
• The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the last five games between the Guardians and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Guardians’ last five night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last seven Friday games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four night games between the Guardians and Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

• Kyle Schwarber has hit at least one home run in each of his last four home appearances.
• Alec Bohm has recorded at least one hit in each of the Phillies’ last 11 games.
• Kyle Schwarber ranks 1st in the league in Home Runs (20) this season.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Rhys Hoskins has hit at least one home run in two of his last three appearances against the Phillies after playing the previous day.
• Steven Kwan has recorded at least one hit in 15 of his last 16 road appearances against NL East opponents.
• Jose Ramirez ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (20) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Phillies rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (476).
• The Phillies rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.265).
• The Guardians rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (484).
• The Guardians rank T2nd in the league for steals this season (54).

Cleveland Guardians vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction

I’m on the Phillies here. I get the case to be made for the Guardians in their current form, but the Guardians were benefitting from a run against teams that couldn’t really score runs as of late like the Angels and Tigers. Philadelphia’s got a solid lineup that’s woken up and Gavin Williams’ main struggles have come on the road this season. I think the Phillies take it down here so give me the Phils.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Philadelphia -175