Series Preview: Guardians at Blue Jays

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 26: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Sean Finucane/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images The AL Central Defending Champs vs. The AL Pennant Defending Champs. Here we go

class="has-text-align-none">The Guardians are 14-12, 18th in wRC+ at 98, 27th in baserunning runs above average at -2.4, 10th in Defense at -0.4, eighth in starting pitcher ERA at 3.45 (4.14 FIP), and 24th in bullpen ERA at 4.81 (3.22 FIP).

class="has-text-align-none">The Blue Jays are 10-14, 21st in wRC+ at 96, 28th in baserunning runs above average at -2.7, seventh in defense at 3.6, 17th in starting pitcher ERA at 4.12 (3.79 FIP), and 22nd in bullpen ERA at 4.87 (4.32 FIP).

class="has-text-align-none">Matchups:

class="has-text-align-none">Game One: Friday, 7:07 PM ET: Gavin Williams, RHP 2.12 ERA vs. Max Scherzer, RHP, 7.16 ERA

class="has-text-align-none">Game Two: Saturday, 3:07 PM ET: Joey Cantillo, LHP 3.20 ERA vs. Kevin Gausman, 2.54 ERA

class="has-text-align-none">Game Three: Sunday, 1:37 PM ET: Slade Cecconi, RHP 6.20 ERA vs. Dylan Cease, RHP 2.10 ERA

class="has-text-align-none">It’s the Kevin Gausman Can Kick Rocks Series, folks. After Gausman hit Jose intentionally in the arm/hand last July, Jose went through a three-week slump as he nursed his injury. Gausman must pay with a Guardians six-spot. So let it be written, so let it be done.