MLB Baseball
2026-06-18 - Cleveland Guardians at Milwaukee Brewers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Thursday 18th June 2026 - Scheduled 2:10pm EST
7:10pm (British Time)
Preview
Six losses in the last eight games have been the reason the Cleveland Guardians (39-35) have lost the outright lead in the American League Central Division and the injuries in the batting lineup are certainly having a negative impact on the team. They are looking to salvage something out of this three game series having lost the first two games, but the Cleveland Guardians will need to find an Offensive spark.
Scoring runs has not been a problem for the Milwaukee Brewers (45-26) and they have won four of the last five games, including both in these series behind eleven runs.
That has helped the Brewers open up a 5.5 game lead within the National League Central, while only the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers have more wins on the board in 2026.
Milwaukee will hand the ball to rookie Shane Drohan who has a 3-2 record and 3.59 ERA in fourteen appearances in 2026, although four of those have been in starts. This is going to be the fourth straight start in June, but Shane Drohan will be a little concerned that each of the following start has been weaker than the previous one and the rookie picked up a decision loss most recently.
He has thrown a little over 16 Innings in the three June starts and Shane Drohan has given up nine runs- the first start saw him allow two runs, which was followed by a three run game and then giving up four runs to the Philadelphia Phillies most recently.
This is the first time Shane Drohan will be facing the Cleveland Guardians, but he is going up against a batting lineup missing a couple of key contributors and that should help.
The Guardians will counter with Parker Messick who is a second year Major League pitcher and who has a 6-3 record with a 2.68 ERA in fourteen starts in his sophomore year.
The overall performances are very encouraging, but Parker Messick is trying to get things back on track in June having started twice this month and been saddled with the decision loss both times. He has allowed seven earned runs in a little over 11 Innings thrown across those two starts against the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees and the young pitcher will just have to find a way to settle down.
Parker Messick will be pitching against the Brewers for the first time.
Prediction
You have to say the overall performances of the two young pitchers in 2026 favours the Cleveland Guardians, but the absence of a number of important batters has limited the output.
That may swing things in favour of the Milwaukee Brewers who will be looking to keep the pressure on Parker Messick as the second year pitcher looks to fight through what has been a difficult period.
The Pick :
Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 Cleveland Guardians
