New York Mets vs Cleveland Guardians

New York Mets at Cleveland Guardians (2026-08-06). Nolan McLean vs Foster Griffin at Progressive Field.

Starters — Nolan McLean has a 3.29 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 125.2 innings, with a strong 10.6 K/9, 3.22 BB/9, and 0.93 HR/9. His last three starts were sharp: 6.1 innings with 2 earned runs and 6 strikeouts, 6 innings with 2 earned runs and 7 strikeouts, and 6 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. The trend is up, and the strikeout profile stands out. Foster Griffin brings a 3.06 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 129.1 innings, with 8.07 K/9, 2.09 BB/9, and 1.32 HR/9. His last three starts were mixed: 5.1 innings with 6 earned runs, then 6.2 innings with 3 earned runs, then 7 innings with 1 earned run. The trend is also up, although the recent home run rate remains a point to watch.

Teams — New York enters with a .686 OPS, 469 runs scored, and a .232 average. The Mets’ pitching staff has a 4.07 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, and they are 6-4 over their last 10 games. Cleveland has a .681 OPS, 453 runs scored, and a matching .232 average. The Guardians have been better on the mound overall, posting a 3.74 team ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but they are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. Offensively, these clubs are very close by OPS and batting average, so the cleaner bullpen and starting efficiency may matter more than lineup separation.