Masahiro Tanaka (7-4, 3.40 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (7-5, 3.12 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the New York Yankees (55-55) and the Cleveland Indians (62-46) at Yankee Stadium. The Indians won the last game 5-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 7 and can be seen on STOh and YES.
Tanaka pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering seven runs (one unearned) and striking out four in a 7-1 defeat to the Mets. Carlos Beltran (.306, 51 Rs, 23 HRs, 67 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one RBI. Carrasco went 3.2 innings, surrendering eight runs, striking out one and walking two in a 10-6 defeat to the Twins in his most recent start. Carlos Santana (.248, 60 Rs, 24 HRs, 61 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Cleveland is a narrow -108 favorite over New York. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at eight runs for this matchup. The Yankees have recorded an overall money line of -534 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 17-31. New York has gone winless (0-5) as the underdog and 3-7 SU in its last 10 outings. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play New York. The Yankees are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 4.2 runs per home game. The Yankees are the second-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.4 hits per game to their opponents this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Yankees, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.7.
In games where it is the favorite, Cleveland has a 48-33 record and an overall money line of +435. The Indians allow just 4.2 runs per game, ranking them third in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are second in the AL with an average of 8.4 hits allowed per game.
The Yankees lead the season series, 4-2. The Yankees have a 40-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Carrasco takes the mound. Tanaka (RHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have a 41-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
The Yankees managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Indians who are coming in with an 11-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 7-33. The Yankees have a 10-44 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, New York has hit 110 this season. Cleveland ranks seventh with 144 home runs.
Ranking 13th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.40 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top five with 9.05.
Ranking 28th, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.705). Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .769.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 37-40, well-matched with the Yankees who are 34-45 when allowing at least one homer.
