Indians vs. Athletics Pick
Will the Cleveland Indians have any trouble when they go on the road tonight to face the Oakland Athletics at 10:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Cleveland is the favorite on the road tonight, as the Indians are getting odds of -140 to win, while the Athletics are getting a money line of +130 to prevail. The over/under total for the game has been set at 7.5 runs. Cleveland took three of four from Oakland at home earlier this season.
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The pitching matchup for this game features Carlos Carrasco (10-3, 3.44 ERA) pitching for Cleveland against Sonny Gray (4-4, 4.00) of the Athletics. Carrasco entered the break with some great starts. In five of his last six, he allowed two earned runs or less. On the year he has 114 strikeouts, 27 walks and a 1.08 WHIP. Gray also went into the break on a hot streak. He allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts, a total of 21 innings. He has 74 strikeouts with 25 walks and a 1.21 WHIP this season.
Cleveland entered the break with the AL Central lead and winners in three of its last four games. The Indians are now 47-40 overall and 26-16 on the road. Cleveland is averaging 4.84 runs per game while giving up just 3.99 per contest. The Indians are being led by Jose Ramirez, who is hitting .332 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 48 RBI. Edwin Encarnacion is adding 18 home runs and 48 RBI.
The Athletics won four of their last six heading into the break. Oakland is now 39-50 overall and 24-21 at home. Oakland is putting up 4.29 runs per contest while allowing 5.28 per contest. The Athletics have a power trio in Yonder Alonso, Ryon Healy and Khris Davis, who have combined for 63 home runs and 155 RBI.
Cleveland faces a good challenge tonight in Gray, but the Indians have been a tremendous road team this season. They have actually been much better on the road than they have at home. Their pitching should be able to get around the Oakland power trio and keep the Athletics to a low run total. The return of manager Terry Francona from a medical issue should also provide a nice boost to the team.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS -140