In the first of a three-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (38-34) and the Cleveland Indians (38-34) at Camden Yards, Wei-Yin Chen (3-4, 2.89 ERA) and Corey Kluber (3-9, 3.65 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 26 and will air on STO and MASN2.
In his last start, Chen pitched 8.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 4-0 victory over the Phillies. Jimmy Paredes (.311, 30 Rs, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs, 3 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4. In his career against the Orioles, Kluber is 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA. He gets a solid Baltimore offense that’s batting .262. Jason Kipnis (.354, 49 Rs, 5 HRs, 31 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday with two runs.
Baltimore, a +123 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Cleveland. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at seven runs. The Orioles are 15-20 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +276. Baltimore has averaged 6.2 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.6. The Orioles come into the game with the third-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.6 runs per game.
On the other side, the Indians have a record of 22-27 when they are favored and are -1,407 overall with the money line. The Indians will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their 10 most recent games, Cleveland’s run production has dropped to 3.0 runs per game, compared to 4.6 for the duration of the season. Cleveland has an eye for the strike zone, averaging an AL-best 3.7 walks per game. Switching gears to Cleveland’s pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an AL-high 9.3 strikeouts per game.
The Orioles are 2-1 against the Indians this season. This game will feature Kluber (RHP) on the mound against the Orioles, who have a 28-28 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Indians will be the left-hander Chen. They sport an 11-17 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL, O/U – Over
Notes
The Orioles are 1-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Indians are 1-2 in such matchups.
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Orioles have a 10-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 29-8. The Indians have a 26-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 20th, Cleveland sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 288 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 332.
Cleveland tops the league in walks with 263 this season. Baltimore ranks near the bottom at 22nd with 180.
The Orioles are 31-16 when they hit at least one home run. The Indians perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 25-16 record.
