The Chicago Cubs will be taking on the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio will showcase this interleague showdown.
Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians Odds
Cleveland (-140) is favored over Chicago (+130) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 8 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Runline odds stand at -170 for betting the Cubs +1.5 runs and +150 for the Indians -1.5.
The Cubs have gone 11-9 SU this year and are 10-9 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors in this young season, despite having gained 2.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Indians, on the other hand, are 12-9 SU and 8-12 ATS. The team has gained 0.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 5.2 units ATS. Cleveland has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Indians games have an over/under record of 6-14 thus far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 10-9.
Jon Lester will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Lester is 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 18 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Indians this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Indians are handing the ball to righty Trevor Bauer (1-2, 2.67 ERA), who’s got 27 strikeouts and 10 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.11. Bauer did not record a start against the Cubs in 2017.
As a unit, Cleveland’s pitchers have given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.85, a WHIP of 1.01 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.7. The bullpen has a 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
Cleveland’s hitters have put up 3.5 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .251/.321/.413 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder Michael Brantley have led the Indians’ offense so far. Ramirez is hitting .266/.376/.557 with seven home runs, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Brantley’s line sits at .320/.346/.460 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and two runs.
Ramirez saw a slight drop-off in production when facing left-handed pitching at home last year, slashing .295/.340/.442 over 103 such plate appearances (compared to his overall season line of .318/.374/.583).
For the visitors, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.05 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 8.45 K/9. The bullpen has logged an excellent ERA of just 2.76, along with a WHIP of 1.56 and a K/9 of 9.26.
The Cubs offense has slashed .264/.351/.443 on its way to 6.0 runs scored per game this year, including 7.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 9.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .299/.365/.740 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 19 runs scored, while Bryant is hitting .319/.467/.536 with two homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 2.3 units and are 7-6 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have netted 2.5 units and are 1-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in one of those games, compared to four that went under.
Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Cubs have won four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 29.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 35.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
