The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Guardians are set for an electrifying showdown on Sunday Night Baseball. With both teams boasting identical 23-16 records, this matchup promises excitement for MLB fans and sports bettors alike. Here’s your comprehensive Phillies vs Guardians prediction, featuring expert odds, likely lineups, and key players to watch.

Game Overview: Phillies vs Guardians

The Phillies and Guardians will battle for the series at Progressive Field in Cleveland with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Each club has taken a game so far, making the series finale a must-watch contest for both fan bases. According to current odds, Philadelphia enters as a -175 favorite on the moneyline, highlighting their recent hot streak and robust pitching lineup.

Starting Pitchers & Projected Lineups

Pitching Matchup

• Phillies: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 3-1, 3.35 ERA)
• Guardians: Luis Ortiz (RHP, 2-3, 5.30 ERA)

Wheeler leads the Phillies with 51 innings pitched and 66 strikeouts this year. In his latest outing, he gave up just two earned runs over seven innings. Ortiz aims to bounce back for the Guardians after showing flashes of solid pitching this season. According to CBSSports.com, SportsLine's projection finds Philadelphia holding a strong edge with Wheeler on the mound, especially given his ability to limit runs and keep hitters off balance.

Probable Starting Lineups

Take a look at the expected lineups as reported by cleveland.com:

Phillies

• 2B Bryson Stott
• SS Trea Turner
• 1B Bryce Harper
• DH Kyle Schwarber
• RF Nick Castellanos
• LF Max Kepler
• C J.T. Realmuto
• 3B Alec Bohm
• CF Johan Rojas

Guardians

• LF Steven Kwan
• 2B Daniel Schneemann
• 3B José Ramírez
• 1B Carlos Santana
• DH Kyle Manzardo
• C Bo Naylor
• SS Gabriel Arias
• RF Nolan Jones
• CF Angel Martínez

Key Matchups & Players to Watch

• Trea Turner leads a surging Phillies offense. He’s posted a .318 average over 37 games, including a nine-game hitting streak. Wheeler provides much-needed consistency for Philadelphia’s pitching.
• On Cleveland’s side, José Ramírez anchors the lineup while Luis Ortiz looks to deliver on the mound in a prime-time spot. Guardian fans hope Ortiz gives everyone, especially his mom on Mother’s Day, a memorable performance, as covered by Covering the Corner.
• Bryce Harper is also expected to contribute. SportsLine’s model projects him to notch at least one hit, with recent results backing his current form.

Betting Odds & Expert Predictions

The Phillies vs Guardians prediction leans toward a Philadelphia win. The combination of Wheeler’s dominance, Turner’s hitting, and a solid lineup gives them an edge. However, with Ortiz looking to prove himself and the Guardians lineup always dangerous, a tight contest is certainly possible.

SportsLine’s model gives the "over" a 68.6% chance with a projected 9.6 total runs, further supported by the high-scoring trends in recent games (full odds analysis). Whether you’re following the moneyline or total runs, expect an active scoreboard.

How to Watch & Final Thoughts

Watch the Phillies vs Guardians live on ESPN. The Guardians’ radio network will also provide full coverage. For the most up-to-date lineup information and in-game highlights, check out cleveland.com’s game preview.

Prediction: Phillies 6, Guardians 4

Both teams are hungry, but the Phillies’ firepower and rotation give them the advantage for this Sunday night clash.

Are you ready for a decisive finale? Let us know your own Phillies vs Guardians prediction in the comments, and don’t forget to follow game updates from trusted sources like Covering the Corner and major sports outlets as this MLB weekend drama unfolds.