The series opener between the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers was supposed to be a pitchers duel but it ultimately ended up being all about the home run. The Tribe and Rangers combined for five home runs in an 8-5 Cleveland victory Monday. Carlos Gomez had the biggest moonshot, as the Rangers center-fielder took Corey Kluber’s offering for a 451-foot ride.
- Martin Perez has a 12.46 ERA in three career appearances against Cleveland.
- The Indians are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games as favorites against the Rangers.
- The Indians are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games as a moneyline favorite of -149 or less.
Carlos Carrasco dealt with injuries last season and only pitched 146.1 innings across 25 appearances. Carrasco posted a solid 3.32 ERA last season but allowed more hits and home runs per nine innings pitched than in any season since he has been a full-time starter. Manager Terry Francona has said that he is looking for five innings from Carrasco but that can change depending on how he is pitching and how hard he is working.
Fellow Venezuelan Martin Perez gets the start for the Rangers. Perez entered last season coming off Tommy John surgery to post career highs in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. Perez enjoyed pitching in Arlington last season with the lefty posting a 3.24 ERA at home in 2016, which was the seventh-best in the American League.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Texas Rangers as 126 underdogs on the moneyline for this contest. The over under was hovering near 9.5 for betting fans hoping to turn a profit on totals at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 5.1-3.2 victory for the Indians. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Cleveland Indians vs Texas Rangers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Texas (0-1) will face the 1-0 Indians in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Texas vs Cleveland injuries news.
The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Texas Rangers at No. 22 and the Cleveland Indians at No. 13 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to getting on base, the visiting Cleveland Indians rank No. 10 at 9 hits per game. That compares with the Texas Rangers No. 18 ranking in that category.
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Texas has the No. 27-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Indians own the No. 18 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Cleveland's last 15 games
- Texas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
- Texas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland at Texas, Wednesday, April 5th
