If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Stephen Nover | MLB ML - Friday, May 31 2013 8:05PM
ML 922 TEX (-200) 5Dimes vs 921 KAN double-dime bet
Stephen Nover | MLB ML - Friday, May 31 2013 7:05PM
ML 904 PHI (-124) 5Dimes vs 903 MIL double-dime bet
Friday Free Play
Indians plus $1.09 hosting Rays
Indians plus $1.15 hosting Rays
Matt Moore is 8-0 with a 2.21 ERA. He's a probable All-Star selection. Tampa Bay has won five in a row.
Corey Kluber has a 4.95 ERA in six starts since joining Cleveland's starting rotation.
So why are the Rays such a slight favorite? No, the oddsmaker isn't stupid.
There's more than meets the eye here and it's all good for the Indians.
Tampa Bay's win streak is mainly composed of winning four games against the Marlins, easily the worst team in the majors. Regarding the pitching matchup, Moore is getting worse and Kluber is improving.
The left-handed Moore had a 1.13 ERA in April. This month his ERA is 3.41. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is nearly two runs higher than his ERA, which indicates Moore's luck could start to run out soon and he's due for a regression.
Cleveland is 17-10 at home while Tampa Bay has a losing road mark. The Indians average 5.97 runs against lefties. They've hit 26 homers off southpaws, which is No. 1 in the league.
The Rays also might not have closer Fernando Rodney available since he's pitched in each of the last four games during the last fou œr days.
Kluber is pitching better and his confidence is rising. His ERA is a respectable 3.32 in his last three starts. Far more impressive, though, is Kluber has struck out 23 and walked just one during these past three starts. His WHIP during this span is 0.95.
05/31 7:05 PM EST MLB (917) TAMPA BAY RAYS VS (918) CLEVELAND INDIANS
Take: (918) MLB Dog of the Month : Indians.
Cleveland has been great at home with a powerful offense, 6th in baseball in runs scored, 9th in batting average, 8th in on base percentage and second in slugging. They face 6-2 Alex Cobb but they like facing him, as Cobb has walked 10 Indians in 16 innings against them along with 15 hits allowed. This is a long road stretch for Tampa Bay, a team with a losing road record, and off a series in Miami. The Indians are 14-4 in their last 18 home games and 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Cleveland starter Corey Kluber has good stuff, with 43 strikeouts in 41 innings and only 7 walks -- and Tampa Bay has never seen him. And the Rays are 17-36 in the last 53 meetings in Cleveland. Play the Indians.
2* on the CLEVELAND INDIANS
Kluber & Moore Must Start
Really great value on the Tribe at home, in their best hitting positon (vs LH). The Tribe are #1 in .OPS, 2nd in batting .AVG, and are also 1st in Home Runs vs southpaws. Cleveland also a strong home club and I do like that Francona has decided to go with 8 RH sticks in the starting lineup tonight, vs Matt Moore. Yes, Rays hurler Matt Moore is off to a great start, however he has "regressed" in his starts in May. If he does not go deep in this game vs this tough and deep Tribe lineup (in clearly their best hitting posture) then we get into that porous Tampa Bay bullpen (with a overused backend of late). Tribe SP Kluber has been solid of late and I like that these Rays have never seen him before, so edge to Kluber and these Indians early on. These Rays have also been more dangerous vs left-handers this season, and for me this is great value on these Indians tonight. Cleveland put up 7 runs without hitting a HR last night. I do expect the Tribe to get a HR or two off extreme fly ball pitcher Moore tonight, as the weather pattern is strong for the baseball carrying tonight at Progressive Park. We are on the CLEVELAND INDIANS.
Comment