Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Tropicana Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Carlos Carrasco vs. Drew Smyly

The Cleveland Indians visit Tropicana Field on Wednesday to play the Tampa Bay Rays. The probable starters are Carlos Carrasco for the Indians and Drew Smyly for the Rays. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland at +105 and Tampa Bay at -115. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Indians have a 3-0-1 over/under record and a 1-3-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 25% of the time. The Rays are 1-5-0 against the run line and have a 1-3-2 over/under record. They cover the spread 17% of the time.

The Indians head into this matchup with a 2-2 record, including 1-1 on the road. Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco held a 14-12 record with an earned run average of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.07 last season. He had 216 strikeouts over his 183.2 innings pitched and he also gave up 154 hits over that time period. He allowed 7.5 hits per 9 innings and he had a FIP of 2.84. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 6.08 and they have given up 10 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .213 against the bullpen while being struck out 9 times and walking 8 times this season. As a team, Cleveland has allowed 8.74 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.2 batters per nine. They are 23rd in the league in team earned run average at 5.14. The Indians pitchers have collectively given up 34 base hits and 20 earned runs. They have allowed 8 home runs this season and they allow 2.1 homers per nine innings as a staff. Cleveland as a pitching staff has walked 16 batters and struck out 28. They walk 4.1 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.2 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.43 and their FIP as a unit is 6.17.

As a team, Cleveland is batting .233, good for 20th in the league while putting together a .239 average away from home. The Indians hold a .380 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .295 which is good for 22nd in baseball. They rank 21st in baseball with 7.5 hits per game. Carlos Santana comes into this game hitting .286 and his on-base percentage is at .375. He has 4 hits this season along with 2 runs scored and 5 runs batted in. He's struck out 2 times and has walked 2 times. Jason Kipnis is hitting .286 and he has an on-base percentage of .353. He has totaled 4 hits so far while scoring 2 runs and he's driven in 2. He has walked 2 times and has struck out 4 times. The Indians have 30 hits, including 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs. They've stolen 1 base while they've been thrown out stealing 1 time. Cleveland has walked 13 times this season and they've struck out 39 times as a unit. They've left 22 men on base and have a team OPS of .674. They score 4.75 runs per contest and have scored a total of 19 runs so far this year.

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup with a 2-2 home record and a 2-4 overall mark. With an earned run average last season of 3.11, Drew Smyly had a 5-2 record and a 1.17 WHIP. He had 77 strikeouts over the 66.2 innings he pitched during which he gave up 58 hits. He allowed 7.8 hits per nine innings and his FIP stood at 3.91. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 1.45 and they have given up 11 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .172 against the Rays bullpen while being struck out 14 times and walking 3 times this season. As a team, Tampa Bay has allowed 8.65 hits per nine innings while striking out 9.69 batters per nine. They are 16th in the league in team earned run average at 4.15. The Rays pitchers as a team have surrendered 50 base knocks and 24 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 10 home runs this year and they give up 1.7 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Tampa Bay as a staff has walked 13 hitters and struck out 56. They give up a walk 2.3 times per 9 innings while they strike out 9.7 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.21 while their FIP as a staff is 4.49.

As a team, they are batting .228, good for 23rd in the league while putting together a .241 average at home. The Rays hold a .381 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .283 which is good for 27th in baseball. They rank 22nd in baseball with 7.5 hits per contest. Evan Longoria comes into this matchup batting .269 and he has an OBP of .269. He has 7 hits this year along with 4 runs scored and 3 RBI. He's struck out 5 times. Logan Forsythe is hitting .217 and he has an OBP of .308. He has collected 5 hits so far while he's scored 3 runs and drove in 2. He has earned a walk 3 times and has punched out 4 times. The Rays as a unit have 45 base hits, including 6 doubles, 0 triples, and 8 homers. They have 2 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 3 times. Tampa Bay as a team has walked 13 times this year and they have struck out 51 times. They've had 39 men left on base and have an OPS of .664. They score 3 runs per game and have totaled 18 runs so far this season.

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

The Cleveland Indians are 3-0-1 against the over/under so far this season

The Cleveland Indians are 1-3-0 against the run line so far this season

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Rays are 1-3-2 against the over/under so far this season

The Tampa Bay Rays are 1-5-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Cleveland Indians

04/05/16 P Tommy Hunter Side Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/26)
04/04/16 3B Lonnie Chisenhall Arm out indefinitely
04/04/16 LF Michael Brantley Shoulder out indefinitely

Tampa Bay Rays

04/10/16 P Chase Whitley Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/25)
04/04/16 P Brad Boxberge Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/25)
04/01/16 P Alex Cobb Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/25)

Guy's Pick: Take the Indians

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