Saturday, August 30, 2014

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday night, the Cleveland Indians will send Trevor Bauer (5 – 7, 4.18 ERA) to the mound to take on the Kansas City Royals and James Shields (12 – 7, 3.45 ERA).  Bauer makes his 21st start as Shields makes his 29th.

Trevor Bauer picked up the win in his last start after pitching 6 innings of shutout ball.  Bauer allowed just 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9 batters.  The win was the first for Bauer since the middle of July.  The young right-hander has struggled in his last few outings as he hasn’t found a way to gain some control over his pitches.  He has walked at least 2 batters in 8 of his last 10 starts.  He has compiled a record of 3 - 3 in those outings.  Last season, Bauer went 1 - 2 with a 5.29 ERA in 4 starts.

Bauer has already faced the Royals once this season and in that start, Kansas City got to him for 3 runs and 7 hits in 5.1 innings as they dealt him the loss.

James Shields was routed in his last start and he took the loss.  In a 6.2 inning effort, Shields surrendered 6 runs and 10 hits (including 2 homers).  He walked 3 batters and struck out 3. Shields was having a decent month (3 -0 in 4 starts) until this outing.  Even with the loss, he is still 4 – 2 in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Shields posted a 13 – 9 record with a 3.15 ERA in 34 starts.

Last season, Shields was 2 – 0 with a 3.56 ERA in 5 starts against the Indians.  Earlier this season, he beat Cleveland after holding them to 2 runs and 6 hits in 6 innings.            

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

Cleveland Indians are 62-65-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cleveland Indians is 0.1

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 59-66-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.3

Injuries to Watch

Cleveland Indians

08/23/14 C Yan Gomes Concussion 7-day DL (8/22)
08/19/14 LF Ryan Raburn Wrist 15-day DL (8/18)
08/10/14 RF David Murphy Side 15-day DL (8/10)
08/10/14 1B Nick Swisher Knee 15-day DL (8/10); out for season
06/12/14 1B Jason Giambi Knee 60-day DL (6/12)

Kansas City Royals

08/26/14 2B Omar Infante Shoulder out indefinitely
08/26/14 P Yordano Ventura Back questionable
08/14/14 P Scott Downs Neck 15-day DL (8/3)
08/01/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand 15-day DL (8/1)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Kansas City

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald