Texas at Cleveland
Friday, June 3rd, 7:05 PM
(matchup)
The Cleveland Indians still own the best record in
baseball betting, but if yesterday’s series opener with the reigning American League Champions is any indication, the Tribe may still have a long way to go over the long haul. Off a 7-4 home loss on Thursday, Cleveland is a +120 home underdog vs. the Texas Rangers on Friday with an over/under line of 8 runs.
After starting the year 19-4 at home, the Indians have lost three straight at Progressive Field. At one point, the team had won 19 of 21 home games. Overall, Cleveland has lost seven of its last 10 games with four of those defeats coming by five runs or more.
Texas, however, has not been reliable in the road favorite role, going a money burning 17-27 since the start of last season. They have dominated Cleveland though winning 13 of 16 head to head since the start of 2010, including 8 of 10 here at Progressive Field.
The pitching matchup always must be analyzed when making
MLB picks and for tonight the Rangers have one of their best arms going in Alexi Ogando, who is 5-0 in 10 starts with a 2.33 ERA. This will be the converted reliever’s first time ever starting against Cleveland. He’s gone at least six innings in every start this season while allowing two runs or less eight times.
Justin Masterson will get the start for Cleveland. The Indians have lost his previous five starts, scoring one run or less in three of them. Last time out, Masterson allowed all seven runs over five innings of a 7-0 loss to Tampa Bay. He was 0-2 last year vs. Texas, including a terrible 12-1 loss in Arlington last July.
Totals players may look for this game to go Over. Masterson is 17-7 Over when starting off a team loss while the Rangers are 18-9 Over in the favorite role this season.
