Thursday, June 18, 2015

Progressive Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jason Hammel (5-2) vs. Danny Salazar (6-2)

The Cleveland Indians host the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on Thursday. The probable starters are Jason Hammel for the Cubs and Danny Salazar for the Indians. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at +121 and Cleveland at -131. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Cubs, with a 25-37 run line record, cover the spread 40% of the time. They also have a 26-31 over/under record. The Indians are 29-34 against the run line and have a 30-32 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Cubs show up with a 34-28 record, including 16-15 on the road. Jason Hammel has a 5-2 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.81 and a 0.96 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 6-6 over his 80 innings pitched this season while giving up 65 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 5-7. He is getting 4.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.35 and they have given up 169 base hits on the year. The bullpen has struck out 180 and walked 75 batters this season while opposing teams hit .230 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.37 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.72 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.63, they are 8th in the league.

As a team, Chicago is batting .243, good for 22nd in the league while putting together a .247 average away from home. The Cubs hold a .387 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .319 which is good for 13th in baseball. With 69 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 20th in hits per game with 8.32.

Cleveland is 12-18 at home while holding a 30-33 overall record on the season. Danny Salazar has a record of 6-2 while sporting an earned run average of 3.54 on the year with a 1.15 WHIP. In his starts, the Indians are 8-3 and he has allowed 61 hits over 68.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 6-5. He is getting 5.5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.39 and they have given up 171 base hits on the year. The Indians bullpen has struck out 188 batters and walked 70 this season while opposing teams have hit .238 against them. Cleveland has a team average of 8.64 hits per game and are averaging 9.61 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.99, they are 19th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .254, good for 15th in the league while putting together a .263 average at Safeco Field. The Indians hold a .398 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .330 which is good for 4th in baseball. With 83 hits, Jason Kipnis leads the team while his team ranks 15th in hits per game with 8.59.

Chicago has a team fielding percentage of .979 after having committed 49 errors with 628 assists and 1,688 put outs for the season. Over the course of this season, the Indians have accumlated 37 errors while having 573 assists and 1,672 put outs leading to a .984 fielding percentage.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 26-31 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 25-37 against the run line so far this season

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

The Cleveland Indians are 30-32 against the over/under so far this season

The Cleveland Indians are 29-34 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

06/03/15 RF Jorge Soler Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/2)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
04/17/15 P Neil Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/16)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Cleveland Indians

06/14/15 1B Nick Swisher Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/13)
04/06/15 P Josh Tomlin Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/29)
04/05/15 P Gavin Floyd Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6)

Tony's Pick: Take the Cubs

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 Tony Sink