Danny Salazar (4-3, 2.32 ERA) gets the start for the Cleveland Indians (25-21) as they go up against Ubaldo Jimenez (2-5, 6.04 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (27-19) in the second of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The Orioles won the last game 6-4, and Baltimore leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 28 and will air on STOh and MASN.
In his last start, Salazar pitched 4.1 innings, giving up four runs, striking out six and walking three in a 5-2 loss to the Red Sox. Mike Napoli (.232, 28 Rs, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Orioles were unsuccessful against the Angels 10-2 the last time Jimenez pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs, striking out three and walking three. Mark Trumbo (.284, 27 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well for the Orioles, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Indians have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire AL, averaging 5.3 runs per game. The Indians rank fourth in the AL in hits at home with 9.4 per game. The Indians are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 32 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Cleveland’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
Baltimore has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Baltimore batters, who rank third in the AL with 10.1 strikeouts per road game. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Baltimore pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 7.0 strikeouts per road game.
So far this season, the Orioles are 1-0 against the Indians.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Orioles have an 11-7 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 4-13. The Orioles have an 8-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Cleveland has hit 49 this season. Baltimore ranks third with 67 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.67 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.85.
Ranking 13th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.731). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .767.
The Orioles are 17-13 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Indians are 16-17 when they allow at least one homer.
