The Cleveland Guardians head to Miami for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Marlins at loanDepot park, with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 PM ET on July 12, 2026. Left-hander Joey Cantillo gets the ball for Cleveland, squaring off against Miami right-hander Tyler Phillips. This is a regular-season game that carries real standings weight, and the Guardians will want to take care of business against a Marlins club that has not been among the AL or NL's elite this season. Every game in the second half of July matters, and Cleveland cannot afford to give one away on the road.
Probable Pitchers: Cantillo vs. Phillips
Joey Cantillo draws the start for the Guardians. The left-hander has been part of Cleveland's pitching mix this season, and this road start in a pitcher-friendly environment at loanDepot park gives him a legitimate opportunity to deliver a quality outing. Cantillo's ability to generate weak contact and keep the ball in the yard will be central to Cleveland's chances of winning the series finale.
For Miami, Tyler Phillips gets the nod. Phillips is a right-hander who the Marlins have relied on for rotation depth. The Guardians' lineup will need to work counts against him and look for opportunities to do damage early before the Marlins can turn to their bullpen.
Keys to Watch for the Guardians
- Cantillo's command early: Left-handers can be tricky for hitters to time at loanDepot park, but Cantillo needs to establish his fastball and keep Miami's offense off-balance from the jump.
- Guardians offense against a right-hander: Cleveland's lineup has shown it can work against right-handed pitching this season. Getting traffic on the bases early against Phillips and capitalizing in scoring position will be the formula.
- Bullpen management: If Cantillo gives the Guardians six or more innings, Cleveland's relief corps should be in a strong position to close it out. Shortening the game is always the goal when the rotation delivers.
- Road discipline: Playing in Miami in July means heat, humidity, and a rowdy home crowd if the Marlins get going. The Guardians need to stay composed and execute the fundamentals that have defined their identity.
Broadcast Information
Fans in Cleveland can catch the game on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive and on the radio via WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7, and the Guardians Radio Network. Miami-area fans can tune in to Marlins.TV, WQAM 104.3, or WAQI 710 for Spanish-language coverage.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Cleveland. Cantillo matching up against Phillips sets up as a competitive, low-scoring affair, which typically favors the team with better pitching depth — and the Guardians have built their organization around exactly that. Expect Cantillo to give Cleveland a solid five to six innings, the offense to scratch across enough runs against Phillips, and the Guardians to take this one on the road. Guardians 4, Marlins 2.
