Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.78 ERA) and Colby Lewis (4-0, 3.38 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (26-23) and the Texas Rangers (30-21) at Progressive Field. The Rangers won the last game 9-2, and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 31 and can be seen on STOh and FSSW.
Kluber pitched 7.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering two, striking out nine and walking one in a 4-3 win over the White Sox. Mike Napoli (.234, 32 Rs, 11 HRs, 36 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Lewis went 5.0 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out one and walking one in a 15-9 win over the Angels in his most recent start. Ian Desmond (.298, 37 Rs, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for Cleveland and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Indians have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Cleveland is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 37 bases. Cleveland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Rangers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Rangers allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. The Rangers have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.0 strikeouts per game.
The Rangers have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
Cleveland has won 48% (10-11) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Texas has won 65% (15-8) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rangers are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded three strikeouts. The Indians have a record of 1-1 when opponents’ pitchers have three strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 4-13. The Rangers have a 10-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the bottom half of the league based on total home runs this season, Cleveland ranks 16th with 54 homers and Texas is 18th with 53.
The Indians and the Rangers both average 8.80 hits per game.
Cleveland and Texas both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Cleveland sits at 12th with an OPS of .739, and Texas ranks 13th with an OPS of .733.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 18-19, well-matched with the Indians who are 16-19 when allowing at least one homer.
