Trevor Bauer (9-5, 3.97 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (69-50) go up against Francisco Liriano (6-12, 5.46 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (69-52) in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 19 and will air on STOh and RSN1.
In his most recent outing, Bauer pitched 6.0 innings, giving up four runs, striking out four and walking two in a 5-4 victory over the Angels. Carlos Santana (.245, 63 Rs, 26 HRs, 63 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run. The Blue Jays were unsuccessful against the Astros 5-3 the last time Liriano pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, striking out four and walking two. Edwin Encarnacion (.269, 76 Rs, 34 HRs, 100 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 5 Wednesday with one run.
Cleveland, a -130 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Toronto. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at nine runs. The Indians have a winning record of 53-35 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +518. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (5-2). The Indians rank fourth in the majors in extra base hits with 401. The Indians are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 102 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. As for the pitching staff, the Indians don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, leading the AL with only 8.2 hits allowed per game. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.4 strikeouts per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Blue Jays come into this game with a win percentage of .433 when playing as the underdog (13-17) and an overall money line of +195. The Blue Jays rank fifth in the AL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. The Blue Jays average 3.7 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the AL. Switching gears to Toronto’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.216 on the year, good for fourth in the league.
This game will feature Liriano (LHP) on the mound against the Indians, who have a 13-5 home and 23-12 overall record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the right-hander Bauer. They sport a 52-34 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
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 a 37-28 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 8-40. The Indians have an 8-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the top 10 of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 154 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 174.
Ranking 12th, Toronto is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.45 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top five at second with 9.21.
Ranking seventh, Toronto is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.762). Cleveland ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .777.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 41-39. When the Indians allow one or more homers, they have a 42-44 record.
