MLB Game Preview: Cleveland Guardians (36-35) vs. San Francisco Giants (41-32)

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The Cleveland Guardians and San Francisco Giants face off in the first game of their three-game series at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants enter the matchup on a five-game home winning streak, while the Guardians look to snap their three-game losing skid.

Game Details

  • Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
  • Time: 9:45 PM ET
  • Venue: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
  • TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area, Bally Sports Great Lakes, MLB Network

Team Overview & Recent Form

Cleveland Guardians (35-35, 16-20 Away)

The Guardians have struggled on the road, holding a 16-20 record away from home. They have lost three straight games, including a 6-4 defeat to the Seattle Mariners in their previous matchup. Despite their slump, Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan have been bright spots offensively.

Key Players to Watch

  • Jose Ramirez – Leads the Guardians with 13 home runs and 34 RBI, batting .324.
  • Steven Kwan – Batting .300, with 14 doubles and six home runs.
  • Slade Cecconi (SP)1-3 record, 4.26 ERA, coming off a five-inning, one-run outing vs. Cincinnati.

San Francisco Giants (41-31, 22-11 Home)

The Giants have been dominant at home, holding a 22-11 record. They have won seven of their last 10 games, including a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies in their previous matchup. San Francisco recently acquired Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox, adding more firepower to their lineup.

Key Players to Watch

  • Jung Hoo Lee – Batting .265, with 17 doubles, five triples, and six home runs.
  • Heliot Ramos – Leads the Giants with a .286 batting average, adding 12 home runs and 44 RBI.
  • Robbie Ray (SP)8-1 record, 2.55 ERA, coming off a four-inning, two-run outing vs. Colorado.

Tactical Analysis & Key Matchups

  • Guardians’ Offense vs. Giants’ Pitching – Cleveland ranks 24th in slugging percentage (.374), while San Francisco’s rotation has been solid.
  • Home Run Battle – The Giants have hit 70 home runs, ranking 19th in MLB, while the Guardians have 72, ranking 18th.
  • Starting Pitcher Duel – Ray’s elite control vs. Cecconi’s strikeout potential.

San Francisco’s home-field advantage and recent momentum give them the edge, but Cleveland’s power-hitting lineup could make this a competitive game. Expect a tight battle, with the Giants likely securing a sixth straight home win.

Game Odds

Cleveland Guardians      8

San Francisco Giants      – 137

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, June 17, 2025