Shaun Marcum (2-0, 5.49 ERA) and Chris Tillman (2-7, 5.94 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (26-27) and the Baltimore Orioles (24-29) at Progressive Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 5 and can be seen on MASN and STO.
Marcum is 4-2 with a 4.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts against the Orioles. Jason Kipnis (.330, 39 Rs, 5 HRs, 26 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. Against the Indians, Tillman is 2-2 with a 5.19 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts. Adam Jones (.307, 26 Rs, 7 HRs, 27 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Cleveland is a -125 favorite against Baltimore and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Indians have an overall money line of -647 and a record as the favorite of 16-17. The Indians are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 164. Cleveland leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 3.8 per game. Turning to the pitchers, 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, Baltimore is coming in with an overall money line of -587 and a disappointing record of 8-17 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-4 record, and a 4-6 record SU. Offensively, the Orioles have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 3.0 during that stretch.
The Indians have a 15-15 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Tillman takes the mound. Marcum (RHP) will be on the hill against the Orioles, who have a 19-23 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Baltimore is 11-11, while Cleveland is 9-10.
The Indians managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Orioles who are coming in with a 6-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 4-21. The Orioles have a 4-19 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 17th in home runs, Cleveland has hit 49 this season. Baltimore ranks ninth with 58 home runs.
Cleveland and Baltimore both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Cleveland sits at sixth with 8.58 hits per game and Baltimore ranks 10th with 8.31.
Ranking 15th, Baltimore is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.707). Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .734.
When the Orioles allow at least one home run, they are 14-21. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have an 18-20 record.
