The red-hot Cleveland Indians are seeking their sixth consecutive victory when they play host to the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio will be televising this AL matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cleveland Indians Odds
Vegas has listed Cleveland (-140) as the favorite over Toronto (+130). The total stands at eight runs and bettors can wager on the over for -115 and the under for -105. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -170 for the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and +150 for the Indians -1.5 runs.
The Blue Jays have gone 8-5 SU this year and are 7-6 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 1.6 units for moneyline gamblers in the season’s early going and 1.8 units ATS. Toronto is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Indians are 8-5 SU and 4-8 ATS. The team has lost 0.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.0 units ATS. Cleveland has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has cashed in all seven of them.
Indians games have an over/under record of 3-9 thus far in 2018. Toronto has an over/under record of 4-8-1.
The Blue Jays have lost 0.1 units and are 4-5 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 3.4 units and are 3-4 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in two of those games, compared to five that went under the total.
Right-hander Marcus Stroman (0-1, 8.38 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Stroman started 33 games last year while finishing the season 13-9 overall with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He made two starts against Cleveland in 2017 and compiled a 1-0 record against the Indians with a 0.66 ERA and eight strikeouts.
The Indians are going with righty Mike Clevinger (1-0, 0.71 ERA) as their starter. Clevinger recorded 137 strikeouts over 121 innings last year with 60 walks. Clevinger finished the season 12-6 overall with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
As a unit, Cleveland’s pitching staff has given up 2.8 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 2.77, a WHIP of 1.04 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.0. The bullpen has a 3.00 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 8.7 K/9.
The Cleveland offense has produced 3.5 runs per outing, including 3.4 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .237/.312/.391 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that span.
Outfielders Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Naquin have led the Indians’ hitters this year. Chisenhall is slashing .235/.381/.294 with four hits, zero RBIs and three runs scored, and Naquin is batting .238 with five hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.
Chisenhall seemed to have a little trouble hitting righty pitching at home last season. In 112 such plate appearances, he slashed .250/.286/.471 (his overall season line was .288/.360/.521).
For the visiting squad, Toronto’s pitching staff allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 8.92 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 2.61, along with a WHIP of 1.37.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .233/.315/.424 on their way to 4.9 runs scored per game this year, including 5.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been led by first baseman Justin Smoak and third baseman Yangervis Solarte. Smoak is hitting .313/.414/.542 with 15 hits, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Solarte (.316/.447/.553) is up to 12 hits, two homers, four RBIs and six runs scored.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cleveland Indians Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Blue Jays have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Indians have hit 10 over their last 10.
Toronto has recorded 22.4 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.8 over its last five.
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