PREMIUM
Friday Afternoon POWER-HOUR *SPECIAL* (Only $25) ~ PERFECT 3-0 in Playoffs!
(MLB) Boston vs. Cleveland,
Money Line: -104.00 Cleveland (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -104.00 Cleveland (Home)
Result: Win
8* Cleveland (4:35 ET): Turns out that I didn't even need the +1.5 last night as the Indians won Game 1, as underdogs, 5-4 over the Red Sox. Manager Terry Francona leaned heavily on two relievers - Andrew Miller and Cody Allen - to get that big win, so one would presume starter Corey Kluber is going to have to carry the load w/ the quick turnaround this afternoon. I feel that the former Cy Young winner will be up to that challenge. As far as the vaunted Boston offense goes, remember what I talked about in yday's analysis. Cleveland ranks third in all of MLB in runs per game scored at home (5.8), which is a big reason that they're now 54-28 here this season. With Kluber on the hill, the Tribe are being drastically undervalued at Progressive Field for Game 2.
This Indians offense was able to get to 20-game winner Rick Porcello last night (hit 3 HR's off him in one inning), so I don't really fear David Price in this spot. Besides, Price has generally been awful in the postseason and that is putting it mildly. In eight career playoff starts, he's 0-7 w/ a 5.27 ERA. Like the team, Price somewhat sputtered at the end of the regular season as well. His last road start saw him give up six runs and 12 hits to a far less potent lineup - the Yankees. He did allow only one run and four hits at home to Toronto on Sunday, but the Red Sox still lost that game, costing them homefield advantage in this series. I realize that Boston is 9-1 this season off three consecutive losses. But this is a very good team that they're facing. Price's ERA was only 3.99 during the regular season. This is one of those rare times when Boston is NOT the better offensive team in the matchup.
Kluber has not pitched since 9.26 due to a groin issue, so he should be fresh. As I've pointed out many times throughout the year, Kluber's WHIP this season (1.060) is actually lower than it was in 2014 when he took home the Cy Young. When he's taken the mound at home this year, the team is 11-5. It's a real "T.G.I.F." situation in Cleveland as the Tribe is 21-5 in Friday games this season! Kluber faced Boston twice in the regular season, winning once and losing once. Remember that he has an outstanding defense to back him up. Catcher Roberto Perez turned in an awesome game behind the plate last night. 8* Cleveland
This Indians offense was able to get to 20-game winner Rick Porcello last night (hit 3 HR's off him in one inning), so I don't really fear David Price in this spot. Besides, Price has generally been awful in the postseason and that is putting it mildly. In eight career playoff starts, he's 0-7 w/ a 5.27 ERA. Like the team, Price somewhat sputtered at the end of the regular season as well. His last road start saw him give up six runs and 12 hits to a far less potent lineup - the Yankees. He did allow only one run and four hits at home to Toronto on Sunday, but the Red Sox still lost that game, costing them homefield advantage in this series. I realize that Boston is 9-1 this season off three consecutive losses. But this is a very good team that they're facing. Price's ERA was only 3.99 during the regular season. This is one of those rare times when Boston is NOT the better offensive team in the matchup.
Kluber has not pitched since 9.26 due to a groin issue, so he should be fresh. As I've pointed out many times throughout the year, Kluber's WHIP this season (1.060) is actually lower than it was in 2014 when he took home the Cy Young. When he's taken the mound at home this year, the team is 11-5. It's a real "T.G.I.F." situation in Cleveland as the Tribe is 21-5 in Friday games this season! Kluber faced Boston twice in the regular season, winning once and losing once. Remember that he has an outstanding defense to back him up. Catcher Roberto Perez turned in an awesome game behind the plate last night. 8* Cleveland
