Corey Kluber (8-13, 3.43 ERA), attemping to pick up his 200th strikeout of the season, takes the hill for the Cleveland Indians (61-66) as they square off against Garrett Richards (12-10, 3.80 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (65-63) in the second of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The Indians won the last game 3-1 and Cleveland leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29 and can be seen on STOh and FSW.
Kluber pitched 7.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run and striking out 11 in a 2-1 defeat to the Cubs. Jason Kipnis (.324, 73 Rs, 7 HRs, 45 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Richards went 5.0 innings, surrendering seven runs (two unearned), striking out four and walking three in a 12-5 defeat to the Blue Jays in his most recent start. Albert Pujols (.252, 69 Rs, 34 HRs, 75 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
The odds for Cleveland and Los Angeles are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Indians are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
Offensively, the Angels have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 3.0 during that stretch. The Angels have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 334 extra base hits. The Angels allow 4.0 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.0 runs per game during that span.
The Indians have a 45-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Richards takes the mound. Kluber (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 46-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle
Notes
The Cleveland batters brought in a solid 10 hits last game. Los Angeles has a record of 11-33 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 8-49. The Angels have a 15-46 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th when it comes to home runs, hitting 104 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 135.
Ranking 14th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.15 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.63.
Ranking 25th, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.694). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .721.
When the Angels allow at least one home run, they are 32-51. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 37-54 record.
