The New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians continue their three-game series Tuesday night at Progressive Field
New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians
New York has lost two games in a row since posting a season-high seven-game winning streak. The Yankees dropped a 6-3 contest Monday and welcomed back shortstop Derek Jeter to the lineup, who finished the game 0 for 4. “I felt fine, no problems, no issues,” Jeter commented after the game. “Three weeks is definitely a long time to be out. I felt better as the game went on.” The club is likely going to bounce back tonight, posting a 17-6 mark since June 10, while winning each of its seven series over that stretch. New York is 24-10 when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Yankees starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia is 11-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 18 starts this season and enters on a four-game winning streak. The left-hander has received 35 runs of support over that span, allowing nine runs and 29 hits over 29 2/3 innings. Sabathia has registered a 6-2 mark and 2.62 ERA in eight road outings, surrendering just three home runs in 58 1/3 frames. in four career meeting against his former team, he is an even 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA.
Cleveland continues to remain atop the American League Central division and has been in that spot or tied in 82 of the last 88 days. The Indians are sixth in the league in runs scored, but much of their success is reliant on their pitching staff. Over the last 20 games, the team’s hurlers have compiled a 2.92 ERA, while the bullpen overall checks in as the second-best in the AL. Offensively, the squad also will have designated hitter Travis Hafner back in the lineup on a regular basis, after being used mainly as a pinch-hitter during interleague play. He was 1-for-4 in the series opener. Cleveland is 12-11 versus left-handed starters this year.
Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is 8-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 15 starts this season and has won four of his last five decisions. He captured a 6-2 road win over the Diamondbacks last time out, giving up two runs and four hits over seven frames. The right-hander enters with an even 3-3 mark and 4.93 ERA in six home outings, but has registered just 17 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. Carrasco will be facing the Bronx Bombers for just the second time in his brief career, notching a 1-0 win at Yankee Stadium on June 13, tossing seven shutout innings in the process.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Indians due to their 7-0 record at home versus winning clubs, while the Yankees are 26-27 in night games
