Playoff motivation is the key here. The Astros get into the postseason with a win thanks to a tiebreaker over the Rangers. All Houston has to do is beat the Athletics, which shouldn't be all that hard considering the A's are one of the worst teams in the league.
Prior to Saturday's loss, the D-Backs were on a six-game winning streak that brought them to the doorstep of the playoffs. Even in the loss, they plated seven runs, making it now seven straight games in which they've scored at least five. Given their late surge over the last week, playoff hopes are still alive, and Arizona feels like a team destined to steal the final NL playoff spot against a San Diego team that already has its eyes set on the postseason.
The Guardians locked up their division title on Saturday, but they will now have a week off as they wait for the winner of the AL West Winner vs Chicago White Sox AL Wild Card series. As such, expect Cleveland to give Messick a full workload here, giving the Guards a massive advantage on the mound opposite Daniel Lynch.
