Trevor Bauer (9-8, 4.06 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (53-59) meet Nathan Eovaldi (11-2, 4.15 ERA) and the New York Yankees (61-51) in the last of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The Yankees lost the last game 2-1, extending a five-game losing streak. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 13 and will air on STOh and YES.
In his last start, Bauer pitched 6.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out eight and walking three in a 17-4 victory over the Twins. Michael Brantley (.316, 48 Rs, 8 HRs, 62 RBIs, 12 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 6 with one run and one RBI. The Yankees were unsuccessful to the Blue Jays 2-1 the last time Eovaldi pitched. He went 6.1 innings, giving up one run, striking out three and walking two. Mark Teixeira (.259, 55 Rs, 30 HRs, 77 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Cleveland is a small underdog (+102) and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Indians are 16-21 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -1,925. They are 1-3 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Over their past 10 games, Cleveland’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.0. Transitioning to the pitching staff, an area where the Indians are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 9.0 K’s per game.
On the other side, the Yankees have a record of 38-26 when they are favored and are -13 overall with the money line. The Yankees rank second in the AL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. One of the top road hitting teams in the AL are the Yankees, who average 8.6 hits in games away from home.
The previous two games have all gone Cleveland’s way. The Indians will take on a right-hander (Eovaldi) in this game and have a 39-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Bauer will take the mound against the Yankees, who have a 40-37 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, New York is 26-29, while Cleveland is 16-19.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Yankees are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 22-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 8-45. The Yankees have an 11-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 92 this season. New York ranks in the top five at third with 150.
Ranking seventh, Cleveland is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.59 per game. New York ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.81.
Ranking 13th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). New York ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .755.
When the Yankees allow at least one home run, they are 31-39. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 32-48 record.
