The Chicago Cubs will head east to take on the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. This interleague matchup will begin at 6:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to SportsTime Ohio.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians Odds
Vegas is listing Chicago (+105) as the underdog to Cleveland (-115). The total is sitting at 8.5 runs and gamblers can wager on the over for -125 or the under for +105. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at -200 for the Cubs +1.5 runs and +170 for the Indians -1.5.
The Indians are 12-8 SU and 8-11 ATS. They’ve lost 0.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.0 units against the spread (ATS). Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Cubs have gone 10-9 SU this year and are 10-9 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 4.5 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in this young season, but have gained 2.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven.
Indians games have an over/under record of 6-13 thus far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 10-9.
The right-handed Tyler Chatwood is projected to start for Chicago. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA and 18 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Indians this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Indians are preparing to start righty Josh Tomlin (0-2, 8.00 ERA), who has four punchouts and four walks, as well as a 2.11 WHIP. Tomlin did not record a start against the Cubs in 2017.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.27 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 8.51 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 2.75, along with a WHIP of 1.56 and a K-per-9 of 9.04.
The Cubs offense has slashed .258/.350/.425 on its way to 5.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 7.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been powered by second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is slashing .292/.363/.736 with seven home runs, 23 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Bryant (.319/.467/.536) is up to two homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
For the home team, Cleveland’s pitching staff has allowed 2.8 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have a 2.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.55, a WHIP of 0.96 and a K/9 of 9.3.
The Cleveland offense has produced 3.5 runs per contest, including 4.1 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .232/.284/.381 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Indians’ hitters have been led by third baseman Jose Ramirez and left fielder Michael Brantley. Ramirez is hitting .237/.348/.526 with seven home runs, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored, and Brantley’s line sits at .320/.346/.460 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and two runs.
Brantley appeared to enjoy facing righties at home last season, slashing .323/.400/.511 over 150 such plate appearances (his total season line was .299/.358/.444).
The Cubs have lost 2.3 units and are 7-6 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in eight of those games, compared to five that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 3.3 units and are 7-7 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in five of those games, compared to nine that went under.
Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Cubs have won three of their last four games SU.
Cleveland has recorded 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.0 over its last five.
The Cubs have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Indians have hit 15 over their last 10.
*****
