Detroit Tigers (65-53) +135, o/u 9 at Cleveland Indians (65-53), 7:05 pm Eastern Tuesday
by Predictem.com Staff
The stumbling co-leaders of the American League's Central Division meet when the Detroit Tigers pay a visit on the Cleveland Indians for the opener of a quick two-game series Tuesday night at Jacobs Field.
These two teams may be tied for first place, but neither of them has been playing like division leaders. Detroit has won just five of its last 18 games, and Cleveland, coming off a three-game sweeping at the hands of the New York Yankees, is just 13-17 since the All-Star break.
While co-leaders of the Central, both teams sit two games back of the Yankees and the Seattle Mariners in the AL wild-card race.
The Tigers are a solid 35-25 on the road this season, while the Indians are 37-25 at home. Detroit is also 11-13 as underdogs this year, while the Tribe is 54-38 when favored.
Cleveland leads the season series with the Tigers this year six games to four, and eight of those 10 meetings have gone over their totals.
Slumping Jeremy Bonderman (10-5, 4.75) gets the start for Detroit Tuesday night versus C.C. Sabathia (14-6, 3.52) for the Indians. In his four most recent starts, Bonderman has been bounced for 28 ER and 45 baserunners (hits + walks) in 22 1/3 innings pitched. Still, the Tigers are 13-9 in Bonderman's starts this season, the o/u 12-7.
Bonderman has started six games vs. Cleveland this year and last, allowing 22 ER and 47 baserunners in 35 1/3 IP.
In his last four starts, Sabathia has given up six ER and 30 baserunners in 27 2/3 IP. The Indians are 17-8 in Sabby's starts this year, the o/u 14-9.
Sabathia has made six starts vs. Detroit this season and last, allowing 21 ER and 56 baserunners in 40 1/3 IP.
The Tigers rank fifth in the majors with their .346 team OBP this season, and are averaging a healthy 5.7 runs per game.
Cleveland owns a .341 team OBP this season, eighth-best in the league, and is averaging 5.0 RPG.
But the Indians have scored just 30 runs total over their last 10 games. On the other side, though, Detroit has allowed 66 runs over its last 10 games.
The Tigers bullpen has given up 11 ER and 32 baserunners in its last 21 innings of work.
The Cleveland pen has allowed 12 ER and 31 baserunners in its last 19 2/3 IP.
The o/u is a one-sided 65-45 in Detroit games this season, 57-55 in Indians games, and 31-30 at Jacobs Field.
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