**Guardians Face Must-Win Game 4 Against Yankees: Odds, Preview, and Prediction**

In a critical Game 4 showdown at home, the Cleveland Guardians are set to host the New York Yankees, aiming to stay alive in the postseason on Friday, October 18. With both teams banking on young and promising starting pitchers, the contest promises high tension and dramatic plays.

Gavin Williams, taking the mound for Cleveland, is a key figure in this matchup. Williams, who last pitched on September 22, has shown promising trends, allowing three or fewer runs in six of his last seven regular-season starts. Despite a challenging home ERA of 6.55, his overall season performance includes a respectable 4.86 ERA with just 0.8 home runs given up per nine innings. An intriguing aspect of his statistics is his fielding independent pitching (FIP) rating of 3.67, suggesting better underlying performance.

Standing opposite Williams is Luis Gil for the Yankees. Sporting a solid 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA, Gil faces similar concerns over potential rustiness, with his last start dating back to September 28. Command has been an issue at times for Gil, with a 4.14 FIP and averages of 10.1 strikeouts and 4.6 walks per nine innings.

The Yankees' offense has proven formidable, leading the American League with an average of nearly five runs per game and 5.2 runs per game away from home. Yet, the Guardians' bullpen, which boasted a league-best 2.57 ERA during the regular season, offers Cleveland a critical advantage in controlling New York’s potent lineup.

Cleveland's offensive home-field advantage also comes into play, having scored an impressive 4.7 runs per game at Progressive Field, placing them 10th in the league in this regard. Conversely, their road performance lagged at 4.05 runs per game. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ bullpen, despite a stellar 0.77 ERA in this postseason, had a 3.65 ERA across the regular season, hinting at vulnerabilities.

In summary, with both Williams and Gil carrying uncertainties into Game 4, the Guardians, supported by a resilient bullpen and better home performance, are positioned to capitalize on Gil’s command issues and keep their postseason hopes alive. According to Greg Peterson's analysis, Cleveland stands as a +105 pick, suggesting a potential edge for an upset win in this crucial game.