Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.31 ERA) and Mike Wright (2-3, 4.97 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (25-20) and the Baltimore Orioles (26-19) at Progressive Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 27 and can be seen on STOh and MAS2.
Bauer pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs and walking two in a 9-1 defeat to the Red Sox. Carlos Santana (.231, 23 Rs, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game Wednesday, going 2 for 4. Wright went 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs (two unearned), striking out three and walking three in a 9-4 win over the Angels in his most recent start. Manny Machado (.309, 35 Rs, 13 HRs, 28 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for Cleveland and Baltimore are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Indians have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the AL in home offense with 5.4 runs per game. The Indians are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits at home with an impressive 9.4 per game. Cleveland is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 32 bases. Cleveland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Orioles have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Baltimore is excellent at not striking out on the road with just 10.3 per game, ranking second in the AL. The Orioles allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. The Orioles have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 6.9 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
Cleveland has won 56% (10-8) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Baltimore has won 71% (12-5) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Orioles are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Indians have a 6-11 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 4-12. The Orioles have an 8-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the bottom half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 47 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at second with 66.
Cleveland and Baltimore both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Cleveland sits at 14th with 8.64 hits per game and Baltimore ranks 11th with 8.76.
Ranking 16th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.726). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .764.
When the Orioles allow at least one home run, they are 16-13. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 16-16 record.
