Monday, August 19

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians, 3:05 am
Yankees $2.15

New York Yankees

The Yankees are in the midst of another excellent campaign, moving to 83-42 after a win yesterday. They’ve been an especially good side at home, going 49-19 at Yankee Stadium. 2nd Baseman DJ LeMahieu has really impressed all season, going off for 20 home runs and a team-leading 83 RBI. Big CC Sabathia is slated to pitch here, having gone a pedestrian 5-6 with a 4.78 ERA so far.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians are also having a strong campaign, now 73-51 on the season. They’ve been quite solid on the road, going 34-25 on their travels so far. 1st Baseman Carlos Santana has led the way offensively, putting up 29 home runs and 78 RBI. Mike Clevenger is expected to pitch here, going an impressive 7-2 with a 3.34 ERA so far.

Prediction: Yankees $2.15

Any time you can get the Yankees at home at this kind of price, it’s very tough to ignore them. Carlos Santana hasn’t been great this season, although he tends to find some extra juice against his former side. If the Yankees offence can continue to impress at home, they’re every chance of pulling off the ‘upset’ here.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers, 3:10 am
Under 8 Runs

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are quietly having a very strong campaign, going 72-52 so far. They surprisingly haven’t been that great at home, just above .500 at 32-29. Right Fielder Austin Meadows is their biggest offensive producer, going for 20 home runs and 58 RBI this season. They haven’t announced a probable pitcher here, although their starting five has generally been excellent this season.

Detroit Tigers

Perhaps the most depressing team in baseball, Detroit enters this one a dreadful 37-83. They tend to win 1 in 3 road games, going just 20-40 on the campaign. Their offence has been lacking all season, with not a single player eclipsing 48 RBI. Matthew Boyd is slated to pitch here, going 6-9 with a 4.38 ERA.

Prediction: Under 8 Runs

The Tigers have one of the worst offences in baseball and I’d be really surprised to see them get going here. Similarly, the Rays’ offensive struggles have been somewhat underrated this season. Both of these sides are stronger in their pitching department and I see a relatively low scoring affair here. Something like 3-1 to Tampa seems very likely, making under 8 at even money look like great value.