The Cleveland Indians (37-34) and New York Yankees (43-28) will open up a three-game American League series on Monday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees
Cleveland dropped two of three games against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, including a 7-1 setback on Sunday afternoon. The Indians managed to score just four combined runs in the series, while the “under” is 4-0-1 in their last five games. “We struggled, big time, offensively the whole series,” commented Indians manager Manny Acta. The club’s main problem has been facing left-handed starters, going 5-15 in that situation, but that won’t be a situation it finds itself in for this contest. Cleveland is 32-19 versus right-handed starters.
Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (3-4, 5.12 ERA) has watched the club alternate wins and losses over his last five starts, failing to earn a decision in a 3-2 home win over the Cincinnati Reds, allowing one run and six hits over 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in five away games (four starts), issuing five walks and striking out just 13 batters in 28.2 frames. In three career starts versus the Yankees, Tomlin has tallied a 2-1 record and 4.26 ERA, including a 9-1 setback on the road on June 12, 2011.
New York captured a 6-5 road win over the New York Mets on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, giving the club a 5-1 record for the 2012 Subway Series. “With the talk coming into this, it’s pretty good for us,” commented Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher. The Yankees took four of seven meetings with the Indians during the 2011 campaign, with outfielder Curtis Granderson leading the way, going 12 for 30 with five home runs offensively. New York is 5-2 as a home favorite of -175 to -200, with the “under” going 5-2 in those contests.
Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (6-7, 3.57 ERA) was handed a 4-3 home loss by the Atlanta Braves last time out, allowing four runs and six hits over seven solid innings. The right-hander is 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA in seven home starts, with opponents hitting just .234 against him. Over his last five starts, Kuroda has tallied a 3-1 record and 2.06 ERA, striking out 28 batters and issuing just eight walks. He will be facing the Indians for the first time in his career.
Bettors will likely back the Indians due to their 7-3 record against AL East opponents, while the Yankees are 0-4 in Kuroda’s last four efforts against AL Central foes.
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