A pair of the best teams in the American League will square off tonight when the Cleveland Guardians play host to the New York Yankees.
My Yankees vs. Guardians predictions expect each team’s star player to be front and center in what should be a competitive matchup.
My MLB picks for Monday, April 21, explain why Jose Ramirez is especially positioned to benefit.
Yankees vs Guardians prediction
My Yankees vs Guardians best bet: Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 total bases (+116 at Caesars)
Jose Ramirez is one of the best hitters in baseball, but he’s off to a slow start. He averaged 2.1 total bases a year ago and cleared this line in 49% of his games. He performed even better on home soil, recording multiple bases in 56% of his games.
His numbers to date don’t hold a candle. Ramirez has recorded multiple bases just 30% of the time, including only three of the last 14. And he’s yet to get the job done in Cleveland, failing to reach that mark in all six games.
Ramirez could have just what the doctor ordered to get him back on track: an advantageous matchup against a pitcher he’s excelled against.
Ramirez has had Clarke Schmidt’s number over the last couple of years, recording five hits over 12 plate appearances while posting a sparkling .492 wOBA.
Schmidt doesn’t throw off-speed pitches, using his fastball over half the time and breaking pitches the rest.
That plays into the hands of Ramirez, who posted a 4.6% barrel rate against off-speed pitches a season ago — less than half of the rate he managed against fastballs or breaking pitches.
It’s also worth noting Schmidt’s batting average allowed was much higher to lefties than righties last season. That sets up favorably for Ramirez, a switch-hitter who can hit left-handed against Schmidt.
Caesars QuickPick: Our Yankees vs Guardians same-game parlay (SGP)
Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 total bases
Jose Ramirez Over 0.5 RBI
Aaron Judge Over 0.5 hits
Ramirez is expected to hit in the 3-hole, likely behind Steven Kwan and Nolan Jones; two left-handed hitters. That bodes well for his chances of having baserunners in front of him. As mentioned, Schmidt allowed a much higher batting average to lefties than righties last season.
If Ramirez can clear his bases line — be it with multiple knocks or one powerful swing — there’s a good chance he plates a runner along the way.
New York’s best hitter, Aaron Judge, is in a good spot to make some noise at the plate as well. Judge is averaging 1.5 hits per game in 2025 and has picked up at least one in 82% of his games.
He’s hitting nearly .400 and should cause a world of problems for Gavin Williams, who is much tougher on lefties than righties. He’s allowed right-handed batters to hit .270 against him this season.
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Yankees vs Guardians odds
Yankees vs Guardians live odds
Yankees vs Guardians opening odds
- Moneyline: New York -115 | Cleveland +105
- Run line: New York -1.5 (+143) | Cleveland +1.5 (-162)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Odds courtesy of Caesars.
Yankees vs Guardians trend
Jose Ramirez has piled up at least three total bases in three of his past four games against New York. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Guardians.
How to watch Yankees vs Guardians and game info
| Location | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH |
| Date | Monday, 4-21-2025 |
| First pitch | 6:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES, CLEG |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Clarke Schmidt (0-0, 4.76 ERA) |
| Guardians starting pitcher | Gavin Williams (1-1, 4.58 ERA) |
Yankees vs Guardians latest injuries
Yankees vs Guardians weather
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