Cole Hamels (13-4, 2.80 ERA) and Josh Tomlin (11-7, 4.39 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Texas Rangers (74-53) and the Cleveland Indians (72-53) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 25 and can be seen on STOh and FSSW.
Hamels pitched 7.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out 10 and walking two in a 6-2 win over the Rays. Mitch Moreland (.254, 42 Rs, 21 HRs, 51 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Tomlin went 4.1 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out five and walking one in a 6-5 defeat to the Blue Jays in his last outing. Carlos Santana (.243, 66 Rs, 27 HRs, 64 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Texas is a -141 favorite against Cleveland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Rangers have recorded an overall money line of +2,499 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 35-20. The Rangers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.4 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.6 runs per game.
In games where it is the underdog, Cleveland has a 15-15 record and an overall money line of +530. Offensively, they average 5.0 runs per game, which is good for second in the AL. The Indians are tough outs for opponents, ranking second in the AL with 9.1 hits per game. The Indians are an excellent base stealing team with 102 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are the best in the AL with an average of 8.2 hits allowed per game.
The Rangers lead the season series, 2-1. The Rangers have a 55-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Tomlin takes the mound. Hamels (LHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have a very good 25-13 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Indians who are coming in with an 11-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 8-38. The Rangers have a 19-40 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas and Cleveland both rank in the top 10 of the league in home runs. Texas sits at eighth with 164 home runs this season and Cleveland ranks 10th with 161.
Ranking sixth, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.93 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top five at second with 9.12.
Ranking 12th, Texas is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.752). Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .770.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 44-46. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have a 46-44 record.
