Preview for Sunday, September 20, 2026. Schedule and player information can change.
Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Guardians
Oakland's Jack Perkins takes the mound with an ERA of 6.14 and a FIP of 4.81 across approximately 110.0 innings pitched, numbers that trail what Cleveland is sending out in Gavin Williams, who owns a 3.78 ERA and a 3.56 FIP over roughly 174.0 innings. Williams has both a lower ERA and a lower FIP than Perkins, and he has done it over considerably more innings this season, which points to a more consistent workload on the mound for Cleveland.
Looking at the team-wide figures, Oakland's offense carries a WP-estimated wOBA of 0.313, slightly ahead of Cleveland's 0.304, so the Athletics have shown a bit more production at the plate as a team. But run prevention tells a different story: Cleveland's team ERA of 3.80 and FIP of 3.92 are both considerably lower than Oakland's 5.46 ERA and 4.97 FIP, giving the Guardians a clear advantage on the pitching side that extends beyond just the starters.
Cleveland's injury report includes Jonah Advincula on the 7-Day IL and both Robert Arias and Shawn Armstrong on the 60-Day IL, while Oakland's list shows Jamie Arnold listed as Out, along with Henry Baez and Leo De Vries both on the 7-Day IL. Taken together, the pitching numbers favor Cleveland, since Williams significantly outpaces Perkins in both ERA and FIP and the Guardians' team-level run-prevention marks are stronger across the board, even though Oakland holds a modest edge in the offensive wOBA figure.
Statistical scope: MLB Stats API; 2026 regular season season-to-date; exact statistical through-date not supplied.
WP selection: Guardians moneyline. Confidence: Strong.
The selection is supplied separately by WP. The comparisons above do not establish why the model made this selection.
WP home-run candidate for Athletics: Brian Serven. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
WP home-run candidate for Guardians: Angel Martínez. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
Predictions are uncertain; no outcome is guaranteed. Check the picks page for the latest available selections.