Cleveland at LA Angels
Monday, April 11th, 10:05 PM
(matchup)
Do you know what Major League Baseball team is currently on a seven-game win streak? The surprising answer is the Cleveland Indians, who after an 0-2 start, have swept both the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Tonight, the Tribe is in Anaheim to play the Angels, who have won back to back games. Oddsmakers are giving no respect to the Indians' seven-game streak, installing them as big +165 underdogs on the betting line.
The Indians have not won eight straight games since August 2008 and are off to their best start since 2002, when they began the year 11-1. Their pitching staff has keyed the turnaround. After allowing 23 total runs in the first two games, the staff ERA is 1.86 during the win streak. Offensively, they are averaging 5.8 runs per game. They outscored Seattle 20-8 in the three-game sweep despite being underdogs in all three contests.
Cleveland will start Mitch Talbot tonight. The righty did not last long last Wednesday vs. Boston, allowing two runs and five hits in 4.3 IP, but his team got the 8-4 win. Talbot has faced the Angels only one time in his career and he pitched well, allowing just one run in 6.3 IP. The Indians won that game 9-2 as a +140 dog.
Los Angeles counters with Tyler Chatwood, who will be making his MLB debut. Originally, the plan was to go with Dan Haren, but he was called for duty in the 14th inning of Saturday's 6-5 win over Toronto. Chatwood has just 6.6 IP of Triple A experience. He is highly touted having won the club's Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2010. Obviously, the oddsmakers are giving him plenty of experience.
The Halos will also be without SS Eric Aybar, who has been placed on the disabled list. The team has won four its last five overall after starting the year by losing three of four at Kansas City to start the season.
