Jake Arrieta (6-4, 3.16 ERA) and Trevor Bauer (5-3, 3.53 ERA) start in the first of a two-game series between the Chicago Cubs (34-27) and the Cleveland Indians (29-33) at Wrigley Field. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 15 and can be seen on STO and WPWR.
Arrieta pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out eight and walking one in a 12-3 win over the Tigers. Kris Bryant (.294, 37 Rs, 7 HRs, 35 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday. Bauer went 3.2 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out five and walking five in a 9-3 defeat to the Mariners in his last outing. Jason Kipnis (.335, 41 Rs, 5 HRs, 28 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Indians, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
Chicago is a -140 favorite against Cleveland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is currently unavailable. The Cubs have an overall money line of +371 and a record as the favorite of 22-15. Chicago is an impressive 4-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 46 bases. Turning to the pitchers, the Cubs are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.20 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Cleveland has a 10-11 record and an overall money line of -1,118. Cleveland has had a tough time against teams in the NL, coming in winless as the underdog ({betdsi.at.nl.dog_record}). Their performance SU is a bit better, with a 4-2. Offensively, the Indians have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.2 runs per game by averaging 3.0 during that stretch. Cleveland’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL at pitching on the road, with a 3.43 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are second in the AL on the road with an average of 7.6 hits allowed per away game. The Indians have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 9.5 strikeouts per game.
The Cubs have a 29-23 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Bauer takes the mound. Arrieta (RHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have an 18-19 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
When the Cubs play into extra innings, they have a 7-3 record. The Indians are 1-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Indians are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Cubs have a 12-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Indians are 23-5. The Cubs have a 22-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 250 this season. Cleveland ranks in the top half at 15th with 259.
Ranking first in walks, Cleveland has earned 230 this season. Chicago ranks fourth with 207 walks.
The Cubs are 22-13 when they hit at least one home run. The Indians perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 23-15 record.
