Friday, August 15, 2014

Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Baltimore Orioles will give the ball to Wei-Yin Chen (12 – 4, 3.90 ERA) as they take on the Cleveland Indians and Corey Kluber (13 – 6, 2.46 ERA).   Chen makes his 23rd start as Kluber makes his 26th.

Wei-Yin Chen missed his last start due to rain and it might have been a good thing because it gave him time to forget his last outing.  In that start, Chen was roughed up as he surrendered 4 runs and 8 hits (including a homer) in just 5 innings.   He walked 2 and struck out 6 in his first loss in over a month.  Chen has been solid in his last 10 starts though and he is 6 – 2 in that span of time.  Last season, Chen posted a 7 – 7 record with a 4.07 ERA in 23 starts.

In 2013, Chen didn’t face the Indians but he has faced the Tribe earlier this season.  In that start, Chen escaped with a no-decision after allowing 5 runs and 8 hits (including a homer) in 6.2 innings.

Corey Kluber notched yet another one in the win column his last time out.  In six shutout innings, Kluber surrendered just 4 hits and a walk while striking out 10.  Kluber has been basically unbeatable in his last few outings and hasn’t been defeated since late June.  He is 7 – 2 in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Kluber was 11 - 5 with an ERA of 3.85 in 24 starts and 2 relief appearances.

In 2013, Kluber was lit up in his only start against the Orioles and took the loss after allowing 7 runs and 11 hits in just 4.2 innings.  But earlier this season, Kluber beat Baltimore after holding them scoreless over 7 innings.          

Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends

Baltimore Orioles are 53-63-2 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Baltimore Orioles is 0.5

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

Cleveland Indians are 60-54-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Cleveland Indians is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

Baltimore Orioles

08/13/14 SS J.J. Hardy Thumb questionable
08/12/14 3B Manny Machado Knee questionable
06/17/14 C Matt Wieters Elbow 15-day DL (5/11), out for season
06/03/14 P Johan Santana Shoulder 60-day DL (6/2), out for season
04/03/14 P Edgmer Escalo Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 LF Francisco Peguero Wrist 15-day DL (3/21)

Cleveland Indians

08/10/14 RF David Murphy Side 15-day DL (8/10)
08/10/14 1B Nick Swisher Knee 15-day DL (8/10)
07/06/14 CF Michael Bourn Hamstring 15-day DL (7/6)
06/12/14 1B Jason Giambi Knee 60-day DL (6/12)

Tony's Pick: Take Baltimore

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