MLB Predictions: Will the Indians hold off the Yankees? 8/3/17
Two of the best in the American League open up a weekend series tonight when the Cleveland Indians host the New York Yankees when these two meet at 7:05PM ET. Here’s our MLB Predictions for this big game.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Indians are favored in tonight’s opener, as Cleveland is getting odds of -150 to win, while the Yankees are listed with odds of +135 to prevail. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 8 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup tonight has Corey Kluber (8-3, 2.90 ERA) on the mound for the Indians to face Sonny Gray of the Yankees. Gray is making his debut for the Yankees tonight. He has posted a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts for Oakland this season. He has 94 strikeouts with 30 walks and a 1.18 WHIP. Kluber has been the ace for the Indians, but is coming off a four-run outing against the White Sox in 6.1 innings of work. Kluber has 161 strikeouts on the season with 27 walks and a 0.99 WHIP.
YANKEES
After a nice winning streak, the Yankees have lost three of four coming into this weekend series. New York is now 57-49 on the season and 25-29 on the road. The Yankees are averaging 5.28 runs per game on offense while giving up 4.18 per contest. Leading New York has been Aaron Judge, who has 34 home runs with 75 RBI and a .299 average. Didi Gregorius is adding 17 home runs with 53 RBI and a .302 average.
INDIANS
The Indians were hot as well but have lost their last three entering this series with New York. Cleveland is now 57-48 overall and 28-24 at home. The Indians are averaging 4.91 runs per game in 2017 while giving up 4.00 runs per contest. Cleveland is being led by Jose Ramirez, who has 33 doubles with 18 home runs and 55 RBI. Edwin Encarnacion is adding 22 home runs with 62 RBI.
MLB PREDICTIONS
This should be an interesting matchup as Gray is making his debut for New York and going up against another great arm in Kluber. I feel good about Kluber at home, even against a powerful New York lineup. With his team in a funk, I know he will take it upon himself to pull the Indians out of it. I think Gray may have some jitters pitching for New York for the first time and he faces a good Cleveland lineup to boot. I give the edge to Cleveland tonight.
MLB Predictions – Cleveland Indians -150
