Marco Estrada (11-8, 3.19 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (74-57) meet Cody Anderson (2-3, 4.30 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (64-66) in the second of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Indians won the last game 4-2, extending a six-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 7:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 1 and will air on STOh and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Estrada pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out six and walking three in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers. Josh Donaldson (.301, 101 Rs, 36 HRs, 108 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs. The Indians were unsuccessful to the Brewers 6-2 the last time Anderson pitched. He went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs, striking out four and walking two. Jason Kipnis (.319, 75 Rs, 7 HRs, 45 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a heavy -185 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is nine runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 55-28 record and have an overall money line of +852. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (7-2). The Blue Jays come into the game with the top-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 5.5 runs per game. The Blue Jays lead the majors in home runs with 184. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Blue Jays rank third in the AL in home ERA with a 3.19 team average. The Blue Jays don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at the Rogers Centre, ranking second in the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the Indians come into this game with a win percentage of .422 when playing as the underdog (19-26) and an overall money line of -1,499. Cleveland has been playing better lately, averaging 5.4 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.1. The Indians average just 7.2 strikeouts per road game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Cleveland’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 3.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 4.1. They have a WHIP of 1.19, third best in the MLB.
The Indians are 3-2 against the Blue Jays this season. This game will feature Anderson (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 55-44 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Estrada will take the mound against the Indians, who have a 47-39 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
The Blue Jays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Indians have an 8-16 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 9-49. The Blue Jays have a 12-45 record when opponents outhit them.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to home runs with 184 this season. Cleveland ranks near the bottom at 24th with 106.
Ranking eighth, Cleveland is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.68 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.98.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .790 this season. Cleveland ranks 13th with an OPS of .722.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 39-54. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 42-40 record.
