Blue Jays vs. Indians Pick
Can the Cleveland Indians get back on track at home when they host the Toronto Blue Jays today at 7:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Indians are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -140 to win, while the Blue Jays are listed with a money line of +120 to prevail. The over/under total for the game is listed at 9.5 runs. Toronto has won two of three meetings with the Indians this season.
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Tonight’s pitching matchup has Trevor Bauer (7-8, 5.59 ERA) on the mound for Cleveland to face Marco Estrada (4-6, 5.33) of the Blue Jays. Bauer has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts. This season he has 105 strikeouts with 37 walks and a 1.47 WHIP. Estrada has also struggled, allowing four runs or more in five of his last seven tournaments. This season, Estrada has 115 strikeouts with 43 walks and a 1.47 WHIP.
Just when the Indians looked like they were going to run away with the AL Central, they have lost five of six out of the All-Star Break to fall to 48-45 on the season and 21-24 at home. Cleveland is scoring 4.70 runs per game while giving up 4.02 per contest. The Indians are being led by Jose Ramirez, who has 29 doubles, 17 home runs and 50 RBI. Francisco Lindor is adding 28 doubles, 14 home runs and 45 RBI.
Toronto is just 3-4 since the break and coming off a four-game split with the Red Sox. The Blue Jays are now 44-51 overall and 22-27 on the road. The Jays are putting up 4.17 runs per game this season while allowing 4.93. Toronto has been led this season by Justin Smoak, who has 26 home runs with 62 RBI and a .298 average. Kendrys Morales is adding 17 home runs, 17 doubles and 52 RBI.
Neither team inspires confidence right now, but the Indians may find a boost by returning home after a poor West Coast road trip. Cleveland’s bats went silence on the road, but should return at home against Estrada, who hasn’t been able to keep runners of the base path. Toronto has the ability to get to Bauer as well, but their bullpen can’t be trusted compared to that of Cleveland’s.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS -140