In the second of a four-game series between the New York Yankees (67-53) and the Cleveland Indians (56-64) at Yankee Stadium, Masahiro Tanaka (9-5, 3.56 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (11-9, 3.63 ERA) take the mound. The Indians won the last game 3-2 and Cleveland leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 21 and will air on STOh and YES.
In his last start, Tanaka pitched 9.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out eight and walking three in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays. Alex Rodriguez (.262, 69 Rs, 26 HRs, 68 RBIs, 3 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, one RBI, and one stolen base. The Indians were unsuccessful the last time Carrasco pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 4-1 loss to the Twins. Jason Kipnis (.325, 67 Rs, 6 HRs, 39 RBIs, 11 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Indians, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run.
New York is a -148 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Yankees perform well as a favorite with a 42-26 record and have an overall money line of +512. They are 4-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games.
Across the field, the Indians have a subpar record of 16-24 when they are the underdog and are -2,190 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-3 record and 5-5 SU. The Indians average 3.4 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the AL. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.20, fourth best in the MLB. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an AL-high 8.8 strikeouts per game.
The Indians are 3-1 against the Yankees this season. The Yankees will take on a right-hander (Carrasco) in this game and have a 45-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Indians will be the right-hander Tanaka. They sport a 41-38 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
Cleveland has won 43% (16-21) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, New York has won 49% (28-29) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Indians are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Yankees have a record of 13-25 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Indians are 47-9. The Yankees have a 45-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th in runs, Cleveland has earned 479 this season. New York ranks second with 573 runs.
New York and Cleveland both rank in the top five of the league in walks. New York sits at fifth with 395 this season and Cleveland ranks third with 407.
When the Yankees hit at least one home run, they are 58-33, well-matched with the Indians who are 41-25 when hitting one or more homers.
