PREMIUM
Rogers' Afternoon ASSAULT >> 34-19 Overall L16 Days! 7-2 MLB Run!
(MLB) Cleveland vs. LA Angels,
Money Line: -138.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -138.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Twins have lost three straight games but the Angels have failed to take advantage of Minnesota's struggles by losing three in a row, themselves. LA, which has lost eight of 12, has seen its American League wild-card hopes grow dimmer, as the Angels get set to host the the Cleveland Indians on Thursday for the finale of this three-game series. The Angels still trail the Twins for the second wild-card spot by 1 1/2 games and now they have just 11 games remaining. As for the Indians, they have now won four in a row and 26 of their last 27. Cleveland goes for the three-game road sweep having last lost a road game back on August 20 (that's 13 straight road wins!).
The pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (5-6, 4.52 ERA) recently returned from an elbow injury and is starting for Cleveland for the first time since Sep. 5, after two relief outings. Taking the mound for LA is rookie Parker Bridwell (8-2 & 3.71 ERA), who is MLB's biggest moneymaker among starters (Angels are 15-2, plus-$1644 in his 17 starts!). Salazar retired only two batters in his last start against the Chicago White Sox (9/5), giving up four runs. Cleveland wants to extend his pitch count to see if he is a possible postseason starter. Salazar is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Angels (Indians are 2-2). Bridwell scattered three hits over six scoreless innings to defeat Texas 2-0 in his last outing, ending a stretch of five straight win-less outings (note: Angels went 4-1 in that stretch). The rookie had allowed 15 runs on 20 hits in 12 innings (11.25 ERA) over a three-start span before his turnaround against effort against Rangers. Bridwell will be facing the Indians for the first time.
The pick: No doubt that Bridwell has had a remarkable rookie season but in all honesty, he's also been fortunate, with the Angels' run production bailing him out of more than just a few, "less-than-stellar" outings. In going 4-8 over their last 12 games, the Angels have averaged just 3.3 RPG. That won't cut it against the Indians. Make Cleveland an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (5-6, 4.52 ERA) recently returned from an elbow injury and is starting for Cleveland for the first time since Sep. 5, after two relief outings. Taking the mound for LA is rookie Parker Bridwell (8-2 & 3.71 ERA), who is MLB's biggest moneymaker among starters (Angels are 15-2, plus-$1644 in his 17 starts!). Salazar retired only two batters in his last start against the Chicago White Sox (9/5), giving up four runs. Cleveland wants to extend his pitch count to see if he is a possible postseason starter. Salazar is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four career starts against the Angels (Indians are 2-2). Bridwell scattered three hits over six scoreless innings to defeat Texas 2-0 in his last outing, ending a stretch of five straight win-less outings (note: Angels went 4-1 in that stretch). The rookie had allowed 15 runs on 20 hits in 12 innings (11.25 ERA) over a three-start span before his turnaround against effort against Rangers. Bridwell will be facing the Indians for the first time.
The pick: No doubt that Bridwell has had a remarkable rookie season but in all honesty, he's also been fortunate, with the Angels' run production bailing him out of more than just a few, "less-than-stellar" outings. In going 4-8 over their last 12 games, the Angels have averaged just 3.3 RPG. That won't cut it against the Indians. Make Cleveland an 8* play.
