Yankees and Indians Open Series with Battle of All-Star Pitchers

By Cory Huybregts in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 23, 2020 at 10:09 am EDTPublished:

- Yankees bullpen has AL-leading 2.74 ERA
- Indians bullpen has AL-worst 5.37 ERA
- Game 1 of the four-game series starts tonight (July 12) at 7:10 pm from Progressive Field
This series will be electric, as both the New York Yankees (60-31) and Cleveland Indians (50-41) are looking get out of current skids and head into the All-Star Break on a winning streak. The last time these clubs met, the Indians were swept, with their bullpen giving it up late in two of those three games. Game 1 sees 2017 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber face strong 2018 Cy Young candidate Luis Severino.
The Yankees
All-Star Luis Severino leads all AL pitchers with 14 wins. He is the youngest Yankee pitcher at 23 to be named to an All-Star game since Mel Stottlemyre was named in 1963. A high scoring game is unlikely tonight as Severino hasn’t lost since June, boasting a season 2.12 ERA.
Since June 10, Severino has gone 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA. His last game came against the Blue Jays, where the righty pitched a five strikeout, three hit win.
Since June 10, Severino has gone 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA
Luis Severino will be supported by an All-Star cast on Thursday night. Slugger Aaron Judge, closer Adroldis Chapman, and rookie sensation Gleyber Torres are all heading to the All-Star Game and headline a very deep roster that also includes this guy named Giancarlo Stanton, who has 22 bombs this year.
Judge is leading the majors with 27 HR, and heads into tonight’s game with 60 RBI. Chapman has been lights out this season, posting a 1.42 ERA. These two have been a huge part of why the Yankees possess the third-best record in the Majors.
The Indians
All-Star Corey Kluber enters tonights game with a 2.49 ERA. In his first 14 starts Kluber went 10-2 with a 1.99 ERA. But in his last five starts, he has gone 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA. The right-hander’s last start came against the Athletics saw him pitch seven scoreless innings, only to see his bullpen blow the lead, and the Indians lose 6-3.
The Indians bullpen woes start with injured reliever Andrew Miller. The two time All-Star has missed nine weeks with two separate DL stints. He is expected to be activated after the All-Star Break, which is good news for the Indians. At the very least, an adequate bullpen will be needed for any playoff run.
In [Kluber’s] last five starts, he has gone 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA
Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Michael Brantley, and Trevor Bauer have all be named to the All-Star game. Ramirez has been the best offensive third baseman in the AL, leading in both home runs (27) and RBIs (65). Ramirez’s 5.1 Offensive WAR is good for second in baseball only behind Mike Trout.
Lindor was close to having a second All-Star Game start under his belt, as he enters the game with 25 HR and 62 RBI. Look for Ramirez and Lindor to be heavily relied upon for generating some offense against a formidable Yankees pitching staff.
Team Stats
60-31, 27-18 away | RECORD | 50-41, 27-19 home | |
Luis Severino, 14-2, 2.12 ERA | STARTING PITCHERS | Corey Kluber, 14-2, 2.49 ERA | |
3-2 | LAST 5 GAMES | 1-4 | |
154 | Team HR | 127 | |
.253 | Team BA | .256 | |
1.17 | WHIP | 1.20 | |
.233 | OPP BA | .244 |
Opening Odds
MONEYLINE | RUNLINE | O/U RUNS |
---|---|---|
Yankees -120 | Yankees -1.5 (+1400) | OVER 7 (-120) |
Indians Even | Indians +1.5 (-160) | UNDER 7 (Even) |
Yankees vs Indians Score Prediction
The Yankees are a tough team to face when your bullpen is in shambles. Kluber and Severino duke it out, but the Indians bullpen fall apart late in the game.
Yankees 3 – Indians 1.
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Sports Writer
From hockey to football, to basketball, baseball, soccer, and rugby, Cory is on top of it all. He grew up playing sports, has worked around them ever since (including as a talent scout), and is one of SBD's most experienced bettors.