It has not been the year the Cleveland Indians had hoped for but a 23-23 record is still good for first in the anemic AL Central. That being said, the Tribe are still in desperate search of consistency with the team winning consecutive games just once in their last 26 games – posting a mediocre record of 11-15 in that span. The Indians will try to pick up a rare consecutive win when they close out their series with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
- The Cubs are 4-0 when Jon Lester starts at Wrigley Field this season.
- The Indians are 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as underdog.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Cubs’ last 6 games at home.
Rookie Adam Plutko will get the ball for his second start of the season in this one. Plutko’s first start came on May 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays, an outing that saw the righty surrender six hits and three runs – all of which came off solo home runs – in 7.1 innings of work. In seven starts in Triple-A this season, Plutko posted a 2.25 ERA with a 0.82 WHIP.
After some inconsistencies to start the season, Jon Lester – Chicago’s starter in this one – has rounded into form. The 34-year-old southpaw has a 1.59 ERA over his last four starts, a span in which he has surrendered just four earned runs. The Cubs are also a perfect 4-0 at Wrigley Field this season when Lester starts.
Cleveland Indians vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
25-20 Chicago battles the Indians, currently with a 23-23 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Cleveland injuries news.
The OddsShark MLB Power Rankings have the Cubs at No. 5 and the Indians at No. 3 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Chicago has baseball's No. 3-rated offensive output, at 9.22 hits per game. Cleveland averages 8.61 hits per game, good for No. 13 on the list.
Defensively, Cleveland features the No. 8-rated defense on the road, allowing 3.71 runs per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 5 at home, scoring 5.36 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Cleveland got the job done in their last match in a 10-1 victory over Chicago on Tuesday at Wrigley Field behind starter Trevor Bauer.
- The total has gone OVER in 17 of Cleveland's last 24 games
- Cleveland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
- Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chicago
- Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
- Chicago is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
- Chicago is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
- Chicago is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland home to Houston, Thursday, May 24
Chicago home to San Francisco, Friday, May 25
