Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians 8/1/2014 Free MLB Picks & Predictions
by Guy Bruhn - 7/31/2014
Friday, August 1, 2014, 7:05 PM on KTXA, STOh
Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Texas Rangers - Williams, J (2-4) vs. Cleveland Indians - Salazar, D (3-4)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
Friday night, Jerome Williams (2 - 4, 5.53 ERA) and the Texas Rangers will square off against Danny Salazar (3 - 4, 4.96 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians. Williams will make his 2nd start and 28th appearance as Salazar makes his 11th start.
Jerome Williams will take the hill for just the 2nd time this season and both starts will be with his 2nd team of the season. In his 1st start since joining the Rangers, Williams got the win after confining the opposition to a run on 5 hits in 6 innings of work. He struck out 4 without issuing any walks. Last season, Williams was 9 - 10 with a 4.57 ERA in 25 starts and 12 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Angels.
In 2013, Williams was 0 - 1 with a 4.50 ERA in 2 starts against the Indians. He's faced many of the Indians before and has held Cleveland to a .227 average with 15 hits, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs in 66 at-bats.
Danny Salazar will get the call in place of the recently trade Justin Masterson. He was recalled from the Minors less than 2 weeks ago and had his 2 nd straight victory in as many starts. In the 2nd win, Salazar gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings. He didn't issue any walks as he struck out 7 batters. In his rookie year last season, he earned a 2 -3 record and a 3.12 ERA in 10 starts.
In 2013, Salazar didn't face the Rangers and he has only faced one of their hitters before. Texas' Prince Fielder is 1 for 6 against Salazar with 3 strikeouts.
Texas Rangers Betting Trends
Texas Rangers are 52-49-6 against the Over/Under
Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -1.1
Cleveland Indians Betting Trends
Cleveland Indians are 54-49-3 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Cleveland Indians is 0
Injuries to Watch
Texas Rangers
07/26/14 P Nick Tepesch Knee left last game, questionable next scheduled start
07/26/14 LF Jake Smolinski Foot 15-day DL (7/22)
07/22/14 C Geovany Soto Groin 15-day DL (7/21)
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 15-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23)
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
Cleveland Indians
07/06/14 CF Michael Bourn Hamstring 15-day DL (7/6)
06/12/14 1B Jason Giambi Knee 60-day DL (6/12)
05/15/14 RF Nyjer Morgan Knee 60-day DL (5/14)
Guy's Pick: Take Cleveland
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