Game Overview
The Miami Marlins (53–66) travel north to face the Cleveland Guardians (68–50) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET at Progressive Field, with coverage on Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Great Lakes. Cleveland continues to fight for AL Central positioning, while Miami is looking to play spoiler down the stretch. For more game-day breakdowns and betting angles, check out our MLB picks and previews page.
Team Analysis
Miami Marlins
The Marlins have leaned heavily on Eury Pérez, their young ace, to give them a chance to win each time he takes the mound. His combination of high-90s heat and devastating breaking stuff makes him one of baseball’s most exciting arms. Offensively, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jake Burger have been bright spots, but Miami’s lack of consistent run support has been a season-long issue.
Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland’s season has been defined by elite pitching and opportunistic offense. Gavin Williams has quietly been a steady presence in the rotation, mixing a live fastball with good command. José Ramírez continues to anchor the lineup, and Steven Kwan’s on-base skills set the table for run production.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record / ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlins | Eury Pérez (RHP) | 8–7, 3.24 ERA | Electric young right-hander with swing-and-miss stuff; thrives on strikeouts and weak contact when ahead in the count. |
| Guardians | Gavin Williams (RHP) | 9–6, 3.88 ERA | Big, durable starter with solid control; can induce ground balls and work deep into games. |
Assessment: Pérez offers a higher strikeout ceiling, while Williams’ consistency and home-field comfort give Cleveland a counterpunch.
Head-to-Head & Storylines
These two teams rarely meet, making this a fresh matchup for both lineups. Pérez will face Cleveland for the first time, while Williams gets his first crack at Miami. With both pitchers able to keep the ball in the park, runs could be at a premium.
Key Players to Watch
- Marlins: Jazz Chisholm Jr. — can change a game with one swing or one stolen base.
- Guardians: José Ramírez — clutch hitter who thrives in late-game situations.
Recent Form & Critical Factors
Miami has gone 4–6 in its last 10, averaging just 3.2 runs per game over that stretch. Cleveland is 7–3 in the same span, backed by strong starting pitching and timely hitting. Progressive Field can favor pitchers if the weather suppresses carry, which could keep this a lower-scoring contest. For more matchups like this, visit our MLB betting insights hub.
Best Bets & Prediction
- Under 7.5 Runs — Both starters have the stuff to dominate, and neither lineup is overly explosive.
- First Five Innings — Under 4 — Early pitching duel likely before bullpens enter.
- Guardians Moneyline (-125) — Cleveland’s offense is slightly more reliable, especially at home.
Final Score Prediction: Guardians 4 – Marlins 2. Pérez pitches well but doesn’t get enough run support, while Cleveland scrapes together key hits in the middle innings.
