The New York Yankees took care of business in Game 1 of a three-game series vs the Cleveland Indians and now will look to take another victory at Progressive Field tonight. The Yanks roughed up Indians ace Corey Kluber and have won seven straight games vs Cleveland (including playoffs). But that streak may be in jeopardy when Yankees righty Domingo German takes the mound as he owns a 5.40 ERA in six road starts and the Yanks are 2-4 SU and ATS in those games. Despite the recent hiccups from German, the Yanks opened as -120 faves in this tilt.
- The Yankees have won seven straight games vs the Indians.
- The Indians are 1-5 SU in their last six games at home.
- The UNDER has hit in 15 of the Yankees’ last 21 road games.
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Yankees have had Indians’ Number
Since Game 3 of the ALDS in 2017, the Indians can’t seem to get to the Yankees. Cleveland has all the tools and the roster makeup to make a postseason run but seems to be snakebitten by the pinstripers. In the last seven games vs the Yankees (including playoffs), the Tribe have been outscored 39-21.
One of the big reasons for these collapses has been an unreliable bullpen as the Indians own the worst ERA for relievers (5.39) in MLB in 2018 with 11 blown saves and in those seven losses vs NY, Cleveland pitchers sport a 5.24 ERA which isn’t going to cut it. This is why it’s important for Shane “don’t call me Justin” Bieber to get off to a good start tonight. Bieber has been decent in six starts this season with a 3.47 ERA but in his last outing at home, he got pummeled with eight hits and four earned runs. The Indians are 5-1 SU and ATS in his six starts this season so that’s encouraging for bettors looking for an edge in this matchup.
Cleveland has Struggled Lately at Home
Progressive Field is supposed to be a safe haven for the Indians as they own a 29-18 record in 47 home games this season but lately they’ve been awful in Ohio. The Indians have dropped five of their last six games at their ballpark, including four straight losses vs the Reds and Athletics, but tonight’s opposing pitcher may give them some confidence.
Domingo German gets the call for the Yanks and he’s been tough to trust for bettors as he owns a 5.40 ERA in six road starts and the Yanks are 2-4 SU and ATS in those games. German is coming off a decent showing in Toronto, allowing only one run on four hits, but I think it’s safe to say the Blue Jays are nowhere close to the Indians when it comes to talent.
When Yankees are Playing, Totals Bettors Follow
The total opened at 9.5 in this matchup and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The UNDER has hit in 15 of the Yankees’ last 21 road games with an average combined score of 7.3 runs per game. When you factor in that the average combined score when Bieber pitches is 8.6 runs per game, it could be a low-scoring affair in “Believeland.”
