The Indians go for the sweep of Minnesota this afternoon and they couldn't have asked for a better pitcher to help them pull it off. Right now, Corey Kluber is on the streak of a lifetime. I used him in his most recent start as he went 7.2 innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He struck out 10. Though Kluber did not factor into the decision, what's important is he gave his team a chance to win and they did, 2-1 over Baltimore.
I'll put Kluber's last five starts up against any stretch any pitcher has had all season. During this time, he has allowed just three runs (one of them unearned) in 39 innings, twice going the distance. The most hits he's allowed in any of those games was six. He also has a 45-5 KW ratio. Unbeaten over his last eight outings, opponents are batting just .161 against Kluber in his last six starts. He has a 1.19 ERA his last 10.
Somehow, despite being division rivals and playing Cleveland 12 times, Minnesota has avoided Kluber this season. So they may be unprepared for what they're in for.
Like Kluber, Twins starter Phil Hughes has pitched well lately. The difference is that Hughes' numbers fall well short of Kluber's over the long-term. Hughes has struggled somewhat at Target Field this season (4.76 ERA in 12 starts). Seeing as Cleveland has won five of six and Minnesota has lost five of six, it's easy to side with the better pitcher and the hotter team.The Indians go for the sweep of Minnesota this afternoon and they couldn't have asked for a better pitcher to help them pull it off. Right now, Corey Kluber is on the streak of a lifetime. I used him in his most recent start as he went 7.2 innings and gave up just one run on five hits. He struck out 10. Though Kluber did not factor into the decision, what's important is he gave his team a chance to win and they did, 2-1 over Baltimore.
I'll put Kluber's last five starts up against any stretch any pitcher has had all season. During this time, he has allowed just three runs (one of them unearned) in 39 innings, twice going the distance. The most hits he's allowed in any of those games was six. He also has a 45-5 KW ratio. Unbeaten over his last eight outings, opponents are batting just .161 against Kluber in his last six starts. He has a 1.19 ERA his last 10.
Somehow, despite being division rivals and playing Cleveland 12 times, Minnesota has avoided Kluber this season. So they may be unprepared for what they're in for.
Like Kluber, Twins starter Phil Hughes has pitched well lately. The difference is that Hughes' numbers fall well short of Kluber's over the long-term. Hughes has struggled somewhat at Target Field this season (4.76 ERA in 12 starts). Seeing as Cleveland has won five of six and Minnesota has lost five of six, it's easy to side with the better pitcher and the hotter team.The Braves and the Reds will open a four game set in Cincinnati tonight. The over is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings at Great American Ball Park, and I expect this one to go over as well.
The 23 year old David Holmberg (0-0, 16.88 ERA) will make his second appearance in the major leagues for the season. He's only tossed 2 2/3 innings verus the Cubs so far, allowing five runs on seven hits, with three walks and three home runs.
Julio Teheran (11-9, 3.06 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Braves, and he's been hit hard on the road all season long, going 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA over 13 starts. His last outing away from home was a disaster, as he surrendered six runs on nine hits over six innings in a 7-3 loss at Seattle.
All of the Reds last five games has gone over the total.
The Braves and the Reds will open a four game set in Cincinnati tonight. The over is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings at Great American Ball Park, and I expect this one to go over as well.
The 23 year old David Holmberg (0-0, 16.88 ERA) will make his second appearance in the major leagues for the season. He's only tossed 2 2/3 innings verus the Cubs so far, allowing five runs on seven hits, with three walks and three home runs.
Julio Teheran (11-9, 3.06 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Braves, and he's been hit hard on the road all season long, going 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA over 13 starts. His last outing away from home was a disaster, as he surrendered six runs on nine hits over six innings in a 7-3 loss at Seattle.
All of the Reds last five games has gone over the total.
The Angels have taken each of the first 3 games of their series at Boston and I look for them to finish off the 4-game sweep tonight. LA has won 7 of their last 8 overall and with the talent this team has offensively I look for them to put up a big number against Red Sox starter Rubby De La Rosa, who was just rocked at home by the Astros for 6 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks. Control has been a major issue for De La Rosa, as he's walked a ridiculous 18 batters over his last 6 starts (34 innings). The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker who despite an ugly 5.18 ERA, he's 5-1 with a strong 1.182 WHIP over 6 road starts. Shoemaker simply had 1 bad start on the road at Kansas City, which drove up his ERA. He's not allowed more than 2 earned runs in each of his last 4 starts, two of which were on the road.
Key Trends/System - LA is 36-16 in their last 52 as a favorite, 40-13 in their last 53 against a team with a losing record, 5-1 in their last 6 on the road and 12-2 in their last 14 road games with a total set between 9 and 10.5 runs. Boston is 6-14 in their last 20 vs a team with a winning record, 7-19 in their last 26 as a home dog and 3-12 in their last 15 with a total set between 9 and 10.5 runs.The Angels have taken each of the first 3 games of their series at Boston and I look for them to finish off the 4-game sweep tonight. LA has won 7 of their last 8 overall and with the talent this team has offensively I look for them to put up a big number against Red Sox starter Rubby De La Rosa, who was just rocked at home by the Astros for 6 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks. Control has been a major issue for De La Rosa, as he's walked a ridiculous 18 batters over his last 6 starts (34 innings). The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker who despite an ugly 5.18 ERA, he's 5-1 with a strong 1.182 WHIP over 6 road starts. Shoemaker simply had 1 bad start on the road at Kansas City, which drove up his ERA. He's not allowed more than 2 earned runs in each of his last 4 starts, two of which were on the road.
Key Trends/System - LA is 36-16 in their last 52 as a favorite, 40-13 in their last 53 against a team with a losing record, 5-1 in their last 6 on the road and 12-2 in their last 14 road games with a total set between 9 and 10.5 runs. Boston is 6-14 in their last 20 vs a team with a winning record, 7-19 in their last 26 as a home dog and 3-12 in their last 15 with a total set between 9 and 10.5 runs.The best pitcher on the planet takes the mound as the Dodgers close out their 3 game set with the Padres. Clayton Kershaw will start Thursday in place of Zack Greinke, who had his start pushed back in order to get some extra rest. Kershaw, who owns an outstanding 1.86 ERA, will have no problem shutting down the Friars, as he threw a 3 hitter and struck out 11 the last time he faced them. Kershaw is also coming off of a rare loss vs. the Brewers. This will work to our advantage, as he will come in with some extra focus because losing 2 in a row just isn’t an option for this guy.
With as good as Kershaw has been, Tyson Ross is right behind him. Ross doesn’t get as much exposure as he’s due, mostly because he plays in a small market. He also throws for a team that won’t be playing this postseason, so it’s easy for many to overlook him. Plain and simple, this guy has been incredible for the Friars this season. Prior to his last start, Ross had allowed 2 ER or fewer in 10 consecutive starts. When he has his fastball command, this guy can be nearly unhittable.
The Dodgers may lead the NL West for the moment, but this team isn’t playing good baseball right now. They’ve lost 5 of 7 and there clearly is some dysfunction on offense right now. We all know about the Padres’ offensive woes, so with these two “Top notch” guys on the hill, expect a low scoring affair. Take the Dodgers-Padres UNDER
The best pitcher on the planet takes the mound as the Dodgers close out their 3 game set with the Padres. Clayton Kershaw will start Thursday in place of Zack Greinke, who had his start pushed back in order to get some extra rest. Kershaw, who owns an outstanding 1.86 ERA, will have no problem shutting down the Friars, as he threw a 3 hitter and struck out 11 the last time he faced them. Kershaw is also coming off of a rare loss vs. the Brewers. This will work to our advantage, as he will come in with some extra focus because losing 2 in a row just isn’t an option for this guy.
With as good as Kershaw has been, Tyson Ross is right behind him. Ross doesn’t get as much exposure as he’s due, mostly because he plays in a small market. He also throws for a team that won’t be playing this postseason, so it’s easy for many to overlook him. Plain and simple, this guy has been incredible for the Friars this season. Prior to his last start, Ross had allowed 2 ER or fewer in 10 consecutive starts. When he has his fastball command, this guy can be nearly unhittable.
The Dodgers may lead the NL West for the moment, but this team isn’t playing good baseball right now. They’ve lost 5 of 7 and there clearly is some dysfunction on offense right now. We all know about the Padres’ offensive woes, so with these two “Top notch” guys on the hill, expect a low scoring affair. Take the Dodgers-Padres UNDER
The Colts looked great for three quarters of football at home against the Giants last week, but after surrendering 27 unanswered points in the final period, Indianapolis is still winless in the pre-season. They host the undefeated New Orleans Saints in Week 3, and we should see plenty of Andrew Luck and Drew Brees as normally the starters see the most action in the third week of the exhibition season.
Brees hasn't seen any action in the Saints previous two games, so it could take him a while to shake off some rust. Luck has looked solid in his limited action so far for the Colts, so we can expect him to be sharp right off the get go.
This game will mean a lot more to the Colts than it will to the Saints, who struggled on the road at the best of times. New Orleans will be up against a revamped Colts defense that should be a lot better in 2014.
"It’s going to be a great barometer to see just how far we’ve come defensively," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "We’re off to a good start defensively when you look at the numbers from the first two ball games ... From an individual standpoint, position standpoint and then collectively as a unit, those guys are all excited to play an outstanding team, an outstanding offensive unit and see exactly where we’re at."
The Colts looked great for three quarters of football at home against the Giants last week, but after surrendering 27 unanswered points in the final period, Indianapolis is still winless in the pre-season. They host the undefeated New Orleans Saints in Week 3, and we should see plenty of Andrew Luck and Drew Brees as normally the starters see the most action in the third week of the exhibition season.
Brees hasn't seen any action in the Saints previous two games, so it could take him a while to shake off some rust. Luck has looked solid in his limited action so far for the Colts, so we can expect him to be sharp right off the get go.
This game will mean a lot more to the Colts than it will to the Saints, who struggled on the road at the best of times. New Orleans will be up against a revamped Colts defense that should be a lot better in 2014.
"It’s going to be a great barometer to see just how far we’ve come defensively," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "We’re off to a good start defensively when you look at the numbers from the first two ball games ... From an individual standpoint, position standpoint and then collectively as a unit, those guys are all excited to play an outstanding team, an outstanding offensive unit and see exactly where we’re at."
Cleveland comes into this matchup having won each of the first two games of the series and are a scorching 7-2 over their last 9 overall. I see no reason why the Indians won't finish off the sweep with one of the league's hottest starters taking the mound. Cleveland's Corey Kluber has a 0.86 ERA and 0.952 WHIP over his last 3 starts and an impressive 1.31 ERA over his last 8 outings. Kluber has won 7 straight decisions.
The Twins will counter with Phil Hughes, who has also been pitching well of late. However, Hughes has an ugly 4.79 ERA over 13 home starts. Cleveland comes in hitting right-handed starters well, as they are averaging 4.7 runs and hitting .261 as a team. Hughes is due for a bad start and I look for him to struggle knowing that he has to pitch well with Kluber on the mound for the Indians.
Cleveland is 22-6 in Kluber's last 28 starts as a favorite, 15-3 in Kluber's last 18 starts after scoring 5+ runs last time out and 6-1 in his last 7 during game 3 of a series. Minnesota is 31-81 in their last 112 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15 and 1-5 in Hughes' last 6 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150.
There's also a solid system in play backing Cleveland. Favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 with a team batting average of .260 or worse on the season (AL) against opponent starting a pitcher who gave up <=2 earned runs in his last 2 outings are 222-103 over the last 5 seasons. That's a 68% system in favor of the Indians.Cleveland comes into this matchup having won each of the first two games of the series and are a scorching 7-2 over their last 9 overall. I see no reason why the Indians won't finish off the sweep with one of the league's hottest starters taking the mound. Cleveland's Corey Kluber has a 0.86 ERA and 0.952 WHIP over his last 3 starts and an impressive 1.31 ERA over his last 8 outings. Kluber has won 7 straight decisions.
The Twins will counter with Phil Hughes, who has also been pitching well of late. However, Hughes has an ugly 4.79 ERA over 13 home starts. Cleveland comes in hitting right-handed starters well, as they are averaging 4.7 runs and hitting .261 as a team. Hughes is due for a bad start and I look for him to struggle knowing that he has to pitch well with Kluber on the mound for the Indians.
Cleveland is 22-6 in Kluber's last 28 starts as a favorite, 15-3 in Kluber's last 18 starts after scoring 5+ runs last time out and 6-1 in his last 7 during game 3 of a series. Minnesota is 31-81 in their last 112 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15 and 1-5 in Hughes' last 6 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150.
There's also a solid system in play backing Cleveland. Favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 with a team batting average of .260 or worse on the season (AL) against opponent starting a pitcher who gave up <=2 earned runs in his last 2 outings are 222-103 over the last 5 seasons. That's a 68% system in favor of the Indians.
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