Sunday’s matchup between the Oakland Athletics and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field wraps up a weekend series between two clubs trending in opposite long-term directions, though both have shown streaky performances throughout the season. The Guardians, hovering just below .500, are still in the AL Central hunt and come into this game with renewed energy following a series of strong outings, including improved production from the top of the lineup and reliable work from their pitching staff. They’ll look to close out the homestand on a high note behind right-hander Gavin Williams, a talented young starter who has emerged as a consistent force in the rotation with a mid-3.00s ERA and impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio. Williams commands the zone well, mixes his pitches effectively, and has been especially sharp against struggling lineups like Oakland’s, which has labored to sustain rallies and ranks in the bottom tier in batting average, runs per game, and on-base percentage. The Athletics, at 41–58, remain deep in rebuilding mode but have occasionally found value as underdogs when their starting pitching holds up and the bullpen doesn’t collapse, as seen in recent close wins. They’ll send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound, a veteran who has quietly been one of their more dependable arms this season, though his recent outings have shown some fatigue and susceptibility to the long ball.

Oakland’s offense will rely on Brent Rooker’s power, Jacob Wilson’s contact ability, and a few timely swings from Tyler Soderstrom, but the lineup lacks consistent depth, and their ability to score runs in clusters remains a glaring weakness. Defensively, the A’s have made strides with improved infield play, but untimely errors have cost them in several games, particularly when they’ve tried to protect slim leads. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s strength lies in its disciplined approach at the plate, aggressive but smart base running, and a bullpen that, while not elite, has been solid enough to protect leads when the rotation delivers quality starts. José Ramírez continues to be the anchor of the Guardians’ offense, and when he’s on, this team becomes much harder to pitch to, especially with Steven Kwan getting on base and Andrés Giménez adding situational versatility. With both teams likely to lean heavily on their starters early, the outcome could hinge on bullpen performance and which offense is able to capitalize on runners in scoring position. The over/under is set near 8.5, which suggests moderate scoring potential—likely driven by the chance of a few solo home runs or late-inning rallies rather than any explosive innings. Overall, the Guardians enter as deserved favorites given their better record, superior pitching on the mound for Sunday, and recent offensive trends, while the Athletics will need near-flawless execution from Springs and a timely big hit to keep the game competitive. If Cleveland grabs an early lead and Williams settles into his rhythm, it could be a long afternoon for an Oakland squad still trying to find consistency and confidence.