In the last of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (31-36) and the Tampa Bay Rays (31-36) at Progressive Field, Trevor Bauer (6-3, 3.22 ERA) and Alex Colome (3-3, 5.14 ERA) get the ball. The Rays won the last game 4-1 and Tampa Bay leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 21 and will air on SunSports and STO.
In his most recent outing, Bauer pitched 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 6-0 victory over the Cubs. Jason Kipnis (.345, 46 Rs, 5 HRs, 28 RBIs, 10 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3. In his career against the Indians, Colome is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Joey Butler (.336, 18 Rs, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Cleveland is a slight -113 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Indians are 20-24 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,180. Cleveland has been struggling as of late. In the last 10 games, Cleveland has only averaged 2.8 runs per game compared to the 4.1 they’ve averaged on the season. The Indians typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an AL-high 3.7 walks per game. As for the pitching staff, an area where the Indians are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 9.4 K’s per game.
Switching gears, the Rays come into this game with a win percentage of .556 when playing as the underdog (20-16) and an overall money line of +872. Over the last 10 games, they were unbeaten as the underdog with a perfect 3-0 record and 8-2 SU. They have the lowest ERA in the AL at 3.33. They also average just 7.3 hits allowed per road game, best in the AL.
The previous two games have all gone Tampa Bay’s way. This game will feature Colome (RHP) on the mound against the Indians, who have a 20-20 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Bauer will take the mound against the Rays, who have a 25-22 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Rays play into extra innings, they have a 2-2 record. The Indians are 1-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Rays managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Indians who are heading in with a 19-13 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 5-28. The Rays have a 7-21 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Cleveland has hit 55 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 13th with 65 home runs.
Ranking 11th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.16 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.48.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.696). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .716.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 15-22, well-matched with the Indians who are 21-28 when allowing at least one homer.
