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Athletics vs. Guardians prediction and odds for Thursday, June 22

By Josh Yourish

May 29, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (41) thtows a first inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (41) thtows a first inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yesterday wasn’t an ideal debut for Gavin Williams who went 5.2 innings for the Cleveland Guardians and allowed four runs to the Oakland Athletics, but his offense staged a comeback in the late innings and Cleveland took a 7-6 win.

Now, the 35-38 Guardians will look to finish off the three-game sweep with another rookie, Logan Allen on the mound.

Oakland has now lost seven in a row directly following their borderline miraculous seven-game win streak, but maybe JP Sears can stop the bleeding today. Sears is 1-4 with a 4.24 ERA in 14 starts while Allen is 3-2 in 10 starts with a 3.95 ERA.

It’s no surprise that the Guardians are big favorites in the series finale.

Athletics vs. Guardians odds, run line and total

Athletics vs. Guardians prediction and pick

If I was Logan Allen I’d be thrilled that my turn to pitch came in this series. He needed a little reset and that’s what he’s about to get against the A’s. Allen has been good this season, he entered June with a 2.72 ERA, but in his last two starts he’s allowed five runs over six innings and five runs across three.

Now, his ERA stands at nearly four, he’s allowed a home run in each of his three starts this month, but he is still about a strikeout an innings guy with a reasonable walk rate.

For the year, Oakland is 26th in OPS against lefties even though its 21 homers ranks 13th. A lot of that damage comes from Brent Rooker’s ridiculous start to the season and he still has an OPS over .900 against lefties.

However, in the last seven days he has one hit, a single, in 17 at-bats and for the entire month of June his OPS is .690.

Cleveland has won both of the first two games of this series by just one run and that’s a big concern to back them on the run line.

However, I feel comfortable taking the Guardians on the moneyline with Oakland amidst a seven game skid.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change