PREMIUM
Rogers' Afternoon ANNIHILATION - 3-0 Sweep Last Wednesday!
(MLB) Cleveland vs. Oakland,
Money Line: -138.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -138.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Indians and A's meet in the rubber match of a three-game series in Oakland on Wednesday afternoon. Cleveland won 1-0 on Monday but Oakland rolled to a 9-1 victory last night. The loss leaves the Indians at 72-52 but still 6 1/2 games over the Tigers in the AL Central, while the 54-72 A's have been playing out the string for quite some time now. Awaiting the Indians after this game and series is a four-game set in Texas against the AL West-leading Rangers, who own a 73-53 record. At stake will be the best overall record in the AL, which not only earns the top team a shot at the wild-card winner in the first round of the playoffs but also gives it the home-field advantage in the ALCS should it get there.
The pitching matchup: Trevor Bauer (9-5, 3.88 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians and Kendall Graveman (9-8, 4.09 ERA) for the A's. Cleveland would not only love a win here against a weakling like the A's (heading into the series with Texas) but also hope that Bauer can produce a strong effort, keeping Cleveland's bullpen fresh for its upcoming series against the Rangers. Bauer enters Wednesday's game on the heels of a season-best, 13-strikeout performance against the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays last Friday. He pitched eight innings of two-run ball but did not get a decision in the Indians' 3-2 win. Bauer will square off with Graveman, who is Oakland's hottest pitcher. Graveman is 8-2 with a 3.47 ERA in his last 15 starts (team is 11-4) and his seven wins since June 23 are the fifth-most in the AL.
The pick: Yes, Graveman has been solid for quite a long stretch but he's 0-2 in three career starts versus the Indians (team is 0-3), including when he squared off against Bauer on July 29, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits in 6 1/3 innings at Cleveland in a 5-3 loss. As for Bauer, he's been a very effective starter away from home in 2016. While his home ERA is 4.62, it's 3.03 in 13 starts road starts. Cleveland is 8-5 in those starts with Bauer going 6-2. He goes for a 7th road win this season today and only seven AL starters, Texas' Cole Hamels (9-2 on the road), Houston's Doug Fister (9-3), Detroit's Michael Fulmer (8-3), Toronto's Aaron Sanchez (7-1), Toronto's J.A. Happ (7-2), Baltimore's Chris Tillman (7-3) and the Chicago White Sox's Chris Sale (7-4), have reached that level. That's pretty good company. Cleveland is a 9* play.
The pitching matchup: Trevor Bauer (9-5, 3.88 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians and Kendall Graveman (9-8, 4.09 ERA) for the A's. Cleveland would not only love a win here against a weakling like the A's (heading into the series with Texas) but also hope that Bauer can produce a strong effort, keeping Cleveland's bullpen fresh for its upcoming series against the Rangers. Bauer enters Wednesday's game on the heels of a season-best, 13-strikeout performance against the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays last Friday. He pitched eight innings of two-run ball but did not get a decision in the Indians' 3-2 win. Bauer will square off with Graveman, who is Oakland's hottest pitcher. Graveman is 8-2 with a 3.47 ERA in his last 15 starts (team is 11-4) and his seven wins since June 23 are the fifth-most in the AL.
The pick: Yes, Graveman has been solid for quite a long stretch but he's 0-2 in three career starts versus the Indians (team is 0-3), including when he squared off against Bauer on July 29, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits in 6 1/3 innings at Cleveland in a 5-3 loss. As for Bauer, he's been a very effective starter away from home in 2016. While his home ERA is 4.62, it's 3.03 in 13 starts road starts. Cleveland is 8-5 in those starts with Bauer going 6-2. He goes for a 7th road win this season today and only seven AL starters, Texas' Cole Hamels (9-2 on the road), Houston's Doug Fister (9-3), Detroit's Michael Fulmer (8-3), Toronto's Aaron Sanchez (7-1), Toronto's J.A. Happ (7-2), Baltimore's Chris Tillman (7-3) and the Chicago White Sox's Chris Sale (7-4), have reached that level. That's pretty good company. Cleveland is a 9* play.
