San Francisco Giants at Cleveland Guardians – Where to Watch, Stream Info, TV Channel, and Live Updates (August 18, 2026)

Two teams mired in losing skids and sitting 3-7 over their last ten games meet at Progressive Field, where neither side has been able to find consistent footing. Cleveland enters having dropped its most recent contest, a 5-0 shutout loss to San Diego in which the offense went completely quiet. San Francisco arrives in no better shape, carrying a 51-73 record and a road mark of 22-40 that ranks among the worst in the league.

Yet there are players on both sides worth watching closely. For the Guardians, José Ramírez — who has scored 54 runs and swiped 29 bases — showed signs of returning to form in his most recent outing following hand surgery. Steven Kwan has been a steady presence at the top of the order, hitting .266 with 106 hits and 54 runs scored. For San Francisco, Luis Arraez continues to be one of the more reliable contact hitters in the National League, batting .324 with 136 hits. Jung Hoo Lee has also been productive, hitting .292 with 9 home runs, 46 RBI, and 58 runs scored. Both teams need a spark — and the individual talent is there to provide one.

San Francisco Giants at Cleveland Guardians Game Information

Game Date: August 18, 2026
Game Time: 06:40 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC Sports Bay Area, Cleveland Guardians, and MLB.TV – Cleveland Guardians
Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

Cleveland sits 5.5 games back in the AL Central at 60-65, fighting to stay relevant in a division race that is slipping away. San Francisco, at 51-73, is 23 games out of first place in the NL West and 15.5 back of the final wild card spot with 38 games remaining — the postseason is no longer a realistic conversation. For the Giants, this stretch is about development and finishing with dignity. For the Guardians, every game carries weight as they try to close the gap before the calendar runs out.

Cleveland Guardians Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 60-65
Home Record: 29-33
Away Record: 31-32
Division Record: 19-17
Streak: 1 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .480

San Francisco Giants Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 51-73
Home Record: 29-33
Away Record: 22-40
Division Record: 10-9
Streak: 1 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .411

Stat Leaders

Cleveland Guardians (60-65, #4 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Angel Genao, 0.294
RBI Leader: Chase DeLauter, 57 RBI
Home Run Leader: Kyle Manzardo, 13 HR
Runs Leader: José Ramírez, 54 Runs
Hits Leader: Chase DeLauter, 115 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: José Ramírez, 29 SB
ERA Leader: Cade Smith, 2.29 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Gavin Williams, 190 K
Wins Leader: Gavin Williams, 11 W
Saves Leader: Cade Smith, 31 SV

San Francisco Giants (51-73, #4 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Luis Arraez, 0.324
RBI Leader: Rafael Devers, 69 RBI
Home Run Leader: Rafael Devers, 25 HR
Runs Leader: Rafael Devers, 65 Runs
Hits Leader: Luis Arraez, 136 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Luis Arraez, 10 SB
ERA Leader: Joel Peguero, 2.38 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Landen Roupp, 128 K
Wins Leader: Robbie Ray, 10 W
Saves Leader: Caleb Kilian, 8 SV

What to Watch For

Bryce Eldridge has been one of the more intriguing developments in San Francisco’s otherwise difficult season. The young first baseman is hitting .247 with 13 home runs, 32 RBI, and 40 runs scored — numbers that suggest real power potential. With Casey Schmitt listed as day-to-day with a leg issue and Willy Adames also day-to-day with a back concern, younger contributors like Eldridge and Heliot Ramos (.264, 9 HR, 34 RBI) will need to carry more of the offensive load.

On the Cleveland side, Brayan Rocchio has quietly put together a solid season — .253 with 10 home runs, 51 RBI, and 107 hits. Rookie Travis Bazzana has contributed 9 home runs and 17 stolen bases while learning on the job. On the mound, Parker Messick carries a 2.59 ERA and 142 strikeouts, making him one of the more compelling young arms in the AL. Tanner Bibee (4.01 ERA, 117 strikeouts) gives Cleveland another capable option. Chase DeLauter, listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue, is worth monitoring — his 115 hits and 57 RBI make him a meaningful piece of the Cleveland lineup when available.

Cleveland Guardians Injury Report

Shawn Armstrong – Leg (D60) – The Cleveland Guardians transferred RHP Shawn Armstrong to the 60-day injured list due to left calf strain.
Chase DeLauter – Hamstring (Day-to-Day) – DeLauter exited Sunday’s (Aug. 16) game against the Padres with left hamstring tightness.
Slade Cecconi – Arm (D15) – The Cleveland Guardians placed RHP Slade Cecconi on the 15-day injured list with right arm fatigue.

San Francisco Giants Injury Report

Matt Chapman – Leg (D60) – The San Francisco Giants transferred INF Matt Chapman to the 60-day injured list due to abdominal strain.
José Buttó – Arm (D60) – The San Francisco Giants transferred RHP José Buttó to the the 60-day injured list with right arm fatigue.
Rowan Wick – Elbow (D60) – The San Francisco Giants placed RHP Rowan Wick on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Randy Rodríguez – Elbow (D60) – The San Francisco Giants placed RHP Randy Rodríguez on the 60-day injured list due to a right elbow sprain.
Daniel Susac – Knee (D10) – The San Francisco Giants placed C Daniel Susac on the 10-day injured list with left knee patella fracture.
Hayden Birdsong – Forearm (D60) – The San Francisco Giants placed RHP Hayden Birdsong on the 60-day injured list as he is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Trevor McDonald – Elbow (D60) – The San Francisco Giants transferred RHP Trevor McDonald from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with a right elbow strain.
Willy Adames – Back (Day-to-Day) – Adames is not in the lineup for Sunday’s (Aug. 16) game against the Rockies due to a lower back strain.
Jesus Rodriguez – Elbow (D10) – The San Francisco Giants placed C Jesus Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow neuritis.
Joel Peguero – Hamstring (D60) – The San Francisco Giants placed RHP Joel Peguero on the 60-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Casey Schmitt – Leg (D10) – The San Francisco Giants placed OF Casey Schmitt on the 10-day injured list due to left knee meniscus tear.
Matt Gage – Elbow (D60) – The San Francisco Giants transferred LHP Matt Gage from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to left elbow strain.
Harrison Bader – Plantar Fasciitis (D10) – The San Francisco Giants placed OF Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with plantar fasciitis.
Marcelo Mayer – Forearm (D10) – The San Francisco Giants placed INF Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction on his left forearm.

Cleveland Guardians Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 18, 2026 vs San Francisco Giants
August 19, 2026 vs San Francisco Giants
August 20, 2026 vs San Francisco Giants
August 21, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
August 22, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
August 23, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
August 24, 2026 at Los Angeles Angels
August 25, 2026 at Los Angeles Angels
August 26, 2026 at Los Angeles Angels
August 28, 2026 vs Kansas City Royals

San Francisco Giants Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 18, 2026 at Cleveland Guardians
August 19, 2026 at Cleveland Guardians
August 20, 2026 at Cleveland Guardians
August 21, 2026 at Boston Red Sox
August 22, 2026 at Boston Red Sox
August 23, 2026 at Boston Red Sox
August 24, 2026 vs Cincinnati Reds
August 25, 2026 vs Cincinnati Reds
August 26, 2026 vs Cincinnati Reds
August 27, 2026 vs Arizona Diamondbacks

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.