Trevor Bauer (2-0, 1.80 ERA) gets the start for the Cleveland Indians (8-15) as they go up against Drew Hutchison (2-0, 6.67 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (12-13) in the last of a four-game series at Progressive Field. The Blue Jays won the last game 11-4 and Toronto leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 3 and will air on RSN and STO.
In his most recent outing, Bauer pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out two and walking two in an 11-5 loss to the Royals. Michael Brantley (.338, 8 Rs, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Indians, Hutchison is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA, nine strikeouts and zero walks. Devon Travis (.325, 19 Rs, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
Cleveland is favored by a small -115 margin in its matchup against Toronto. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Indians have a losing record of 5-8 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of -843. Cleveland has averaged 5.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.0. As for the pitching staff, an area where the Indians are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 9.6 K’s per game.
Across the field, the Blue Jays have a subpar record of 5-8 when they are the underdog and are -376 overall with the money line. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 2-6 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 4-6. The Blue Jays rank third in the AL in scoring, averaging 5.2 runs per game. Toronto is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 30 home runs.
In their previous three games this season, the Blue Jays have a 2-1 record. The Indians will take on a right-hander (Hutchison) in this game and have a 6-6 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the right-hander Bauer. They sport an 8-12 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Cleveland has won 33% (3-6) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 62% (5-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Indians managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are coming in with an 8-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
The Indians and the Blue Jays are both 2-11 when they are outhit.
Ranking 10th in home runs, Cleveland has hit 22 this season. Toronto ranks fifth with 30 home runs.
Cleveland and Toronto both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Cleveland sits at eighth with 8.23 hits per game and Toronto ranks 10th with 8.17.
Ranking 16th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.687). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .755.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 9-9. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 6-10 record.
