The San Francisco Giants (41-32) host the Cleveland Guardians (36-35) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. First pitch from Oracle Park is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area and Guardians TV.
Justin Verlander makes his return to the Giants' rotation on Wednesday as San Francisco tries to end its three-game losing streak.
Find my Guardians vs Giants prediction and Wednesday MLB betting preview below.
My Guardians vs Giants Prediction, Picks
- Guardians vs Giants pick: Over 7.5 (-122 | Play to -130)
My Guardians vs Giants best bet is on the over. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Guardians vs Giants Odds
| Cleveland Guardians Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1.5 -187 | 8 -103o / -118u | +113 |
| San Francisco Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1.5 +152 | 8 -103o / -118u | -137 |
Guardians vs Giants Projected Starting Pitchers
| LHP Logan Allen (CLE) | Stat | RHP Justin Verlander (SF) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-4 | W-L | 0-3 |
| 0.4 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.1 |
| 4.28 / 4.62 | ERA /xERA | 4.33 / 5.07 |
| 4.53 / 4.88 | FIP / xFIP | 4.76 / 4.68 |
| 1.51 | WHIP | 1.40 |
| 6.6% | K-BB% | 8.9% |
| 44.3% | GB% | 38.9% |
| 92 | Stuff+ | 106 |
| 94 | Location+ | 91 |
Guardians vs Giants MLB Betting Preview, Predictions
Guardians Betting Preview
Logan Allen has never truly found his footing at the major league level. Despite entering the league as a highly-touted prospect following his second-round selection in 2020, Allen has posted a 4.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through his first three seasons.
He's struggling again this year, and his underlying metrics suggest those woes will continue. Allen ranks in the bottom quarter of the league in expected ERA (xERA), strikeout rate and barrel rate.
The left-hander enters this contest in particularly poor form. Over his past four starts, Allen owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP.
There has been an average of nine total runs scored per game during that stretch. These high-scoring outings are likely to continue with right-hander Justin Verlander making his return from injury for San Francisco.
Giants Betting Preview
Verlander’s historic career is, unfortunately, spiraling in its final years. Last season, he posted a 5-6 record with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
That steep decline has carried into 2025, as Verlander is 0-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 10 starts.
There are two major concerns with his outlook moving forward.
First, he's 42 years old and is coming off a pectoral injury that sidelined him for the past month.
Second, Verlander’s analytics are even worse than his surface-level stats.
He possesses a 5.07 xERA and ranks in the bottom quarter of the league in expected batting average (xBA), strikeout rate and barrel rate.
The good news for Verlander is that he should receive solid run support, as the Giants rank in the top half of the league in runs scored per game.
Guardians vs Giants Prediction, Betting Analysis
The main concern with betting the over in this contest is Cleveland’s lineup.
That said, the Guardians possess a strong track record against a regressing Verlander.
Through 182 combined plate appearances against him, the current Cleveland roster boasts a .248 batting average, .559 slugging percentage and .372 weighted on-base average (wOBA).
The weather should also contribute toward the over, with the forecast calling for strong winds blowing directly out to center field on a humid night.
Pick: Over 7.5 (-122 | Play to -130)
Moneyline
I lean toward San Francisco, but I don't want to back Verlander.
Run Line (Spread)
I also like San Francisco to cover, but I'm staying away for the same reason listed above.
Over/Under
As mentioned, I'm betting over 7.5.
