Michael Wacha (5-0, 2.09 ERA) gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals (23-10) as they meet Trevor Bauer (2-1, 4.19 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (12-20) in the last of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The Indians won the last game 2-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 14 and will air on FSN-MW and STO.
In his most recent outing, Bauer pitched 5.0 innings, giving up five runs and striking out five in a 9-3 loss to the Twins. Jason Kipnis (.311, 19 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run. The Cardinals were victorious over the Pirates 8-5 the last time Wacha pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) and striking out one.
Cleveland, a +115 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against St. Louis. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at seven runs. The Indians have a losing record of 4-7 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,233. They have a 1-1 record SU against the National League. Cleveland has averaged 2.5 runs per game during interleague play, lower than its season average of 4.3. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, leading the AL with an average of 4.0 walks per game. In games against National League opponents, Cleveland’s pitchers are doing better against opposing batters. It only gives up an average of 4.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 5.0. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Progressive Field, averaging 9.1 strikeouts per home game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Cardinals come into this game with a solid win percentage of .783 when playing as the favorite (18-5) and an overall money line of +1,172. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed a 4-1 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 6-4. They sport the fifth-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. St. Louis is one of the top hitting teams in the NL with an average of 9.3 hits per contest. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have the lowest ERA in the NL at 2.75. They also average just 7.5 hits allowed per road game, best in the NL.
This game will feature Wacha (RHP) on the mound against the Indians, who have a 9-11 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cardinals will be the right-hander Bauer. Right-handed starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport a 19-6 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cleveland’s last 11 games.
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 8 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games when playing St. Louis.
Cleveland is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing St. Louis.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis.
Cleveland earned its second shutout of the season in its last game. St. Louis has been shut out two times this season.
When the Cardinals play into extra innings, they have a 4-1 record. The Indians are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Cardinals are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 15-6. The Indians have a 10-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 139 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top half at 11th with 150.
Ranking 15th, St. Louis is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 104 this season. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 114.
The Indians are 10-10 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 13-4 when they hit at least one homer.
