Yankees Try to Extend Winning Streak Against Exhausted Indians

It’s a battle in the Bronx on Friday, May 4th as the Yankees host the Indians at Yankee Stadium.

New York has won nine of its last ten games, including three straight against the AL West-leading Astros. Everyone knows the Baby Bombers can hit (they lead the Majors in runs and home runs, and rank second in total bases, slugging percentage, and OPS), but they also shutout Houston on Tuesday and Wednesday thanks to a pair of brilliant pitching performances.

The Indians, meanwhile, are coming off a rain-delayed double-header against the Blue Jays that lasted nearly nine hours. Cleveland burned through ten pitchers during the back-to-back games including top relievers Cody Allen, Dan Otero, and Tyler Olson. Fatigue and a lack of available arms should be a major concern tonight.

Below, find the opening odds, key statistics and betting trends, weather forecast, and score prediction for tonight’s game.

Opening Odds

CC Sabathia will be facing a familiar foe tonight when he takes the mound against the Indians. The 37-year-old southpaw pitched for Cleveland from 2001-08 and led them to the postseason twice during that span. Many believed his best baseball was behind him when he signed with the Yankees, but Sabathia is 2-0 this season with a 1.71 ERA and a career-low 0.95 WHIP.

The key to his renaissance has been a deliberate move away from his four-seam fastball and a growing reliance on his slider and cutter. He’s presently throwing his fastball less than 16% of the time, and it seems to be working for him.

Sabathia’s dominance is in stark contrast to Josh Tomlin’s ineptitude. The 33-year-old right-hander is 0-4 with a 9.16 ERA and has recorded just ten strikeouts in 18.2 innings. Tomlin has never possessed overpowering stuff, but his inability to find the strike zone this season has been troubling. He surrendered six earned runs on ten hits in his last outing against the Mariners, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tomlin relegated to the bullpen if his struggles continue.

Team Stats

Betting Results & Trends

The Indians split a lengthy double-header with the Blue Jays on Thursday, losing 13-11 in 11 innings in game 1, and winning 13-4 in game 2. Starting pitcher Adam Plutko picked up his first career win in the second game, scattering six hits over 7.1 innings.

The Yankees stormed back in the ninth inning and narrowly defeated the Astros 6-5 on Thursday afternoon. Chasen Shreve picked up the win and Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to seal the deal.

Weather Forecast at Opening Pitch

Score Prediction

Get ready for plenty of fireworks tonight in Yankee Stadium. New York leads the league in home runs and will be facing a struggling pitcher in Josh Tomlin who gives up a TON of long balls. You can almost hear Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez smacking their lips in anticipation. As an added bonus, Indians manager Terry Francona will almost certainly have to leave Tomlin in longer than he would like after using ten pitchers in Thursday’s double-header.

Sabathia has given up just seven hits combined over his last two starts and has led New York to victory in his last three outings.

The Yankees also have a tremendous edge because of Sabathia. The former Cy Young winner has given up just seven hits combined over his last two starts and has led New York to victory in his last three outings. He no longer strikes out hitters like he did earlier in his career, but he consistently out thinks them. His command and poise are top notch and will lead New York to victory tonight against the thoroughly exhausted Indians.