Corey Kluber (3-6, 3.61 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (27-29) go up against Taijuan Walker (2-6, 5.80 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (25-32) in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 9 and will air on ROOT-NW and STO.
Kluber is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA against the Mariners in his career, and is up against a less-than-stellar Seattle offense that’s hitting just .237 on the year. Jason Kipnis (.338, 41 Rs, 5 HRs, 27 RBIs, 8 SBs) played well again Sunday, going 3 for 5 with one run. In his career against the Indians, Walker is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.25 WHIP, and eight strikeouts. Nelson Cruz (.329, 33 Rs, 18 HRs, 39 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well for the Mariners, going 2 for 4 Sunday with one run.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Indians are a dangerous hitting team with 171 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. The Indians typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an AL-high 3.9 walks per game. Cleveland’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 3.1 during that span, compared to its 4.3 season average. An area where the Indians are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 9.7 K’s per game.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 1.8 runs per game, below their 3.4 season average.
The Indians are 3-1 against the Mariners this season. The Indians will take on a left-hander (Walker) in this game and have a 10-12 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Kluber will take the mound against the Mariners, who have a 20-26 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 9-8, while Cleveland is 9-10.
The Indians are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 11 strikeouts. The Mariners have a record of 5-11 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 4-23. The Mariners have a 9-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the bottom half of the league at 19th when it comes to home runs, hitting 49 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at fifth with 63.
Ranking 12th, Seattle is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.02 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.55.
Ranking 24th, Seattle is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.685). Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .730.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 10-27. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 19-22 record.
