Nathan Karns (4-3, 3.28 ERA) and Cody Anderson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) start in the first of a four-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (42-35) and the Cleveland Indians (33-41) at Tropicana Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 29 and can be seen on STO and SunSports.
Karns pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out five and walking three in a 1-0 defeat to the Blue Jays. When pitching against the Rays, Anderson is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and four strikeouts. David Murphy (.336, 17 Rs, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 4 for 4 yesterday.
Tampa Bay is a -128 favorite against Cleveland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Rays have an overall money line of +611 and a record as the favorite of 21-18. Tampa Bay is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 57 bases. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Rays, who have a team ERA of only 3.24. The Rays are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Cleveland has a 11-13 record and an overall money line of -1,615. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-2 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Indians have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 2.6 during that stretch. Cleveland is excellent at drawing walks with an AL-best 3.7 per game. Cleveland’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL at pitching on the road, with a 3.50 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are second in the AL on the road with an average of 7.7 hits allowed per away game. The Indians have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 9.3 strikeouts per game.
The Rays lead the season series, 2-1. The Rays have a 27-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Anderson takes the mound. Karns (RHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have a 22-22 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Indians have a 4-17 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 6-30. The Rays have a 7-22 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 61 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top half at 14th with 70.
Ranking 11th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.20 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.51.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.698). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 15th with an OPS of .713.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 22-33. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 17-25 record.
