Overview
The New York Yankees are in Cleveland for the second game of their three game series with the Indians.The Indians have played the Yankees well of late winning 5 of the last 7 meetings including the last 3 in a row but before that they really struggled versus the Yankees winning just 2 of the previous 14 meetings.
Head to Head Trends
Yankees are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Indians are last in the American League Central 15.5 games back of the 1st place Kansas City Royals. This has definitely not been the season that the Indians expected, before the season they were expected to at least compete in the Central with a good shot of winning it but things don’t always work out the way they were expected to. I think the main reason for their lack of success this season is a lot of their young starting pitchers have kind of taken a step back from last season especially at home where they have a combined 4.92 ERA.
On the hill for the Indians today is Danny Salazar who is 9-6 with a 3.38 ERA on the season. Salazar is about the only Indians starter who has improved over last season and he looks to be finishing the season strong allowing just 6 earned runs over his last 5 starts.
Cleveland Indians Trends
Indians are 3-13 in their last 16 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Indians are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
New York Yankees (+110)
The New York Yankees are 1st in the American League East just a half game up on the surging Toronto Blue Jays. It was only about 2 weeks ago that the Yankees had an 8.5 game lead in the East but with the Blue Jays being absolutely on fire and the Yankees struggles of late that 8.5 game lead has quickly vanished.
Starting for the Yankees today is lefty CC Sabathia who is 4-8 with a 5.34 ERA on the season. This has not been a very good season for Sabathia actually it’s probably the worst of his career especially with the long ball. Sabathia has already allowed 24 home runs which is the second highest total of his career and on pace to surpass the 28 he allowed in 2013. One thing to add is those 28 home runs he allowed in 2013 was over 211 innings so far this season he has allowed 24 in just 123 innings. Sabathia won’t come close to 211 innings this season but if he did he would be on pace to allow 42 home runs.
New York Yankees Trends
Yankees are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
Yankees are 4-12 in Sabathias last 16 starts as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Conclusion
I like the Cleveland Indians over the Yankees again today. The Indians might not be the best team in the world but the Yankees bats are struggling big time right now and CC Sabathia has been horrible.
Free Pick: Cleveland Indians -120
