MLB Predictions: Can the Indians top the Angels in L.A.? 9/19/17
Will the Los Angeles Angels be able to hold off the surging Cleveland Indians when the two meet on the West Coast tonight at 10:07PM ET?
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, this game is considered even, as both the Angels and the Indians are listed with a money line of -105 to win. The over/under total for the game has been set at 8 runs. The Tribe has won all three meetings with the Angels this season and their last eight overall meetings.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup tonight has Mike Clevinger (10-5, 3.21 ERA) on the mound for the Indians to face Tyler Skaggs (2-5, 4.37) of the Angels. Clevinger is coming off allowing three runs to the Tigers, but had not allowed a run in three straight starts prior to that. Clevinger has 127 strikeouts this season with 56 walks and a 1.27 WHIP. Skaggs is coming off 7 scoreless innings against the Astros last week. He has 65 strikeouts this season with 24 walks and a 1.34 WHIP.
INDIANS
The Indians have won 24 of their last 25 games, including that 22-game win streak. The Tribe is now 93-57 overall and 48-27 on the road, which has put them in first in the AL playoff race. Cleveland is averaging 5.05 runs per game this season while allowing just 3.53 per game. Jose Ramirez is leading the team with 50 doubles, 27 home runs and 75 RBI. Edwin Encarnacion is adding 36 home runs with 94 RBI.
ANGELS
Los Angeles is coming off a series win over the Rangers in Texas. The Angels are now 76-73 on the season and 41-34 at home. L.A. is putting up 4.41 runs per game this year while giving up 4.35 per contest. Mike Trout has 23 doubles, 29 home runs and 65 RBI this season in limited action while Albert Pujols has 22 home runs with 96 RBI.
MLB PREDICTIONS
Though Skaggs is coming off a great start, he has been declining throughout the season. September saw his worst ERA (4.80) of any month this season. Clevinger has been improving through the summer months and has a 0.51 ERA through three starts in September. He actually has pitched better on the road this season, putting up a 6-3 record with a 2.56 ERA. I see Clevinger out-dueling Skaggs tonight while Cleveland continues its winning ways.
MLB PREDICTIONS: CLEVELAND INDIANS -105
