Corey Kluber (1-5, 3.79 ERA) and Anthony DeSclafani (2-4, 3.80 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (18-23) and the Cincinnati Reds (18-23) at Progressive Field. The Reds lost the last game 7-3, continuing a six-game losing streak. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 23 and can be seen on FSN-OH and STO.
Kluber pitched 9.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out 12 and walking one in a 2-1 defeat to the White Sox. Jason Kipnis (.337, 30 Rs, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, 5 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs. DeSclafani went 3.0 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out two and walking three in a 9-8 defeat to the Giants in his most recent start. Todd Frazier (.258, 27 Rs, 12 HRs, 24 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Reds, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Cleveland, a big -188 favorite, takes on Cincinnati. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. The Indians have an overall money line of -968 and a record as the favorite of 10-14. Against the NL, they have a 1-1 record when they were the favorite and 1-2 SU. The Indians have seen a decline in scoring against teams in the NL, averaging 2.0 runs per game. They average 4.3 runs per game on the season. Cleveland leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 3.7 per game. Cleveland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.4 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.7. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Indians, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 9.7.
Over in the other dugout, Cincinnati is coming in with an overall money line of -397 and a disappointing record of 8-15 as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-5 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Reds have really sputtered in interleague games. They have decreased their season average of 3.9 runs per game by averaging 3.2 in those contests. The Reds are an excellent base-stealing team with an MLB-best 43 stolen bases. The Reds allow 4.5 runs per game, but does worse whenever an AL opponent is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average up to 5.2 against teams from the AL.
The Indians have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Indians have a 10-13 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when DeSclafani takes the mound. Kluber (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 14-16 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Reds play into extra innings, they have a 1-3 record. The Indians are 0-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Reds are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded two strikeouts. The Indians have a record of 1-1 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 2-18. The Reds have a 5-18 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting 37 this season. Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 48.
Ranking 13th, Cincinnati is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.95 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.50.
Ranking 18th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.698). Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .730.
The Reds are 10-18 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Indians are 13-17 when they allow at least one homer.
