MLB Predictions 2012: Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland Indians

The Los Angeles Angels (6-14) and Cleveland Indians (10-8) will continue a three-game American League series on Saturday at Progressive Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 ET

Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians

Los Angeles Angels SP Dan Haren is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four career outings at Progressive Field

Los Angeles has now dropped five consecutive games after opening up this series against Cleveland with a 3-2 defeat on Friday night. The Angels’ offense has yet to get going, especially offseason acquisition Albert Pujols, who is hitting .225 and has managed to knock in only four runs. The club made a roster move following the game to shake things up, releasing veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu and calling up top prospect Mike Trout. Los Angeles is 2-6 in day games and the “under” is 5-3 in those contests.

Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren (0-1, 4.07 ERA) has moved past a shaky start to the season, but the squad has still managed to drop all four of his starts. The right-hander received a no-decision in his first road effort, allowing three runs and nine hits over five frames in a 10-9 loss to the Minnesota Twins on April 12. In 10 career starts versus the Indians, Haren is 3-2 with a 3.58 ERA, including a 2-0 mark and 2.00 ERA in four outings at this venue.

Cleveland got a chance to celebrate its first walk-off win of the year at home, which also kept the club atop the AL Central standings. “Last year, we kind of had fun here doing some walk-offs,” commented Indians manager Manny Acta. “It was nice to go back out there and do it.” The Indians are suffering a power outage currently, failing to hit a home run in nine consecutive games, as the club will look to improve upon its 8-4 record versus right-handed starters. Cleveland is 0-3 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season.

Indians starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez (1-0, 1.93 ERA) has been solid in making three appearances (two starts) in the early going, picking up a 5-1 road win over the Oakland Athletics last time out, surrendering one run and four hits over 5.1 innings of work. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 career home games (nine starts), serving up just two home runs in 51.2 frames. Gomez lasted only three innings in his only career start against the Angels on Sept. 15, 2010, giving up seven runs (six earned) and seven hits in three innings in a 7-0 home loss.

Bettors will likely back the Indians due to their 7-1 mark in Gomez’s last eight outings as an underdog, while the Angels are 1-4 in Haren’s last five efforts as a road favorite.