First Pitch: 7:10 PM ET
Television: Bally Sports Great Lakes, NESN, MLB.TV
Series: Game 1 of 3
The Guardians return home riding strong pitching and timely hitting, while the Red Sox continue to search for consistency after a rough May. Boston sends Miguel Samaniego, a young arm with upside but command volatility, against Slade Cecconi, who has emerged as one of Cleveland’s most reliable mid‑rotation starters. This matchup features Cleveland’s disciplined, contact‑heavy offense against Boston’s inconsistent pitching staff.
WEATHER & BALLPARK CONDITIONS
Temperature: 70–74°F at first pitch
Sky: Partly cloudy
Humidity: 55–60%
Wind: 8–12 mph blowing out to right
Chance of Rain: 10%
Projected Park Factor: Slightly hitter‑friendly, especially for left‑handed power
Conditions favor line‑drive hitters and lefty pull bats.
INJURY REPORT
Boston Red Sox
Triston Casas — OUT (rib fracture)
Trevor Story — OUT (elbow surgery)
Rafael Devers — ACTIVE
Tyler O’Neill — QUESTIONABLE (hamstring tightness)
Kenley Jansen — ACTIVE
Cleveland Guardians
José Ramírez — ACTIVE
Josh Naylor — PROBABLE (wrist soreness)
Steven Kwan — OUT (hamstring strain)
Shane Bieber — OUT (Tommy John rehab)
Emmanuel Clase — ACTIVE
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Boston Red Sox (23–32)
Last 10: 3–7
Road Record: 10–17
Run Differential: –41
Trend: Offense struggling; pitching inconsistent; bullpen overworked
Boston has been unable to string together wins due to injuries and lack of lineup depth.
Cleveland Guardians (32–25)
Last 10: 6–4
Home Record: 17–11
Run Differential: +22
Trend: Pitching staff stabilizing; offense improving despite Kwan’s absence
Cleveland continues to win tight games thanks to elite bullpen performance.
SERIES HISTORY
2025 Season Series: Guardians won 4–2
Last 10 Meetings: Guardians lead 7–3
At Progressive Field: Guardians have won 5 of last 7
Average Runs/Game (last 5 matchups): 8.4
Cleveland’s pitching depth has been the difference in recent years.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
BOS — MIGUEL SAMANIEGO (RHP)
2026 Stats: 4.71 ERA | 1.39 WHIP | 8.3 K/9
Last 3 Starts: 5.12 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
Pitch Mix: Four‑seam, slider, changeup
Strengths: Generates strikeouts; strong vs. right‑handed hitters
Weakness: Command issues; vulnerable to left‑handed contact hitters
Matchup Outlook: Cleveland’s left‑handed bats (Naylor, Brennan) match up well against Samaniego’s fastball‑changeup combo.
CLE — SLADE CECCONI (RHP)
2026 Stats: 3.66 ERA | 1.18 WHIP | 8.1 K/9
Last 3 Starts: 2.95 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
Pitch Mix: Four‑seam, slider, curveball, changeup
Strengths: Excellent command; induces weak contact
Weakness: Can struggle vs. power‑heavy lineups
Matchup Outlook: Boston’s lineup lacks consistent power, giving Cecconi a favorable matchup.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Rafael Devers (BOS) vs. Slade Cecconi
Devers crushes sliders left up
Cecconi rarely leaves pitches over the plate
Edge: Cecconi
Josh Naylor (CLE) vs. Miguel Samaniego
Naylor thrives vs. right‑handed fastballs
Samaniego struggles vs. left‑handed power
Edge: Naylor
José Ramírez (CLE) vs. BOS Bullpen
Ramírez excels vs. late‑inning fastballs
Boston’s bullpen has been inconsistent
Edge: Ramírez
Jarren Duran (BOS) vs. CLE Pitching
Duran’s speed is a weapon
Cleveland’s defense is elite at cutting off extra bases
Edge: Guardians defense
BETTING TRENDS
Boston Red Sox
2–6 in last 8
1–5 in last 6 road games
Under is 4–2 in last 6
Cleveland Guardians
5–2 in last 7 home games
6–3 in last 9 overall
Under is 5–3 in last 8
Head‑to‑Head
Guardians 7–3 last 10
Guardians have covered run line in 4 of last 6
Game Odds
Boston Red Sox 8
Cleveland Guardians – 123
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 28, 2026
