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Kluber, Indians try to cool off Tigers Monday
By: Freddy Wander - StatFox
Published: 5/19/2014  at  3:48:00 AM
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DETROIT TIGERS (27-12)

at CLEVELAND INDIANS (19-25)

First pitch: Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Detroit -105, Cleveland -105, Total: 7.5

The AL Central-leading Tigers look to extend their six-game winning streak on Monday night in the first of three games against the struggling Indians.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook breakdown on Monday's game:

Detroit has been on an absolute tear, earning a win in each of its past six contests with sweeps on the road against both the Orioles and Red Sox. The club has allowed two or fewer runs in five of those six games, and outscored opponents 28-10 over the streak. In the Sunday night game against Boston, starter Anibal Sanchez earned his first victory of the year in a 6-2 win, as DH Victor Martinez (.331 BA) hit his 10th home run of the season and 2B Ian Kinsler (.315 BA) went 4-for-5. The 2-thru-4 batters in the lineup (Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Martinez) combined to go 16-for-40 (.400) in the series with three homers and 9 RBI. The Indians are moving in the opposite direction and sit at the bottom of the AL Central after losing six of their past eight games, including four in a row. The Athletics absolutely dominated them this weekend, scoring 30 runs over the three-game sweep while allowing a measly six runs to Cleveland’s offense. Sunday’s game was the worst, as the Indians were hammered 13-3. Much of the team's struggles have come from both 3B Carlos Santana (.152 BA) and 1B Nick Swisher (.196 BA) not being able to get hits, and they were a combined 3-for-25 with a homer and five strikeouts in the three contests against the A’s. Getting the opportunity to start this game and extend the Tigers' winning streak is LHP Drew Smyly (2-2, 2.70 ERA). Meanwhile, the Indians hope that a red-hot RHP Corey Kluber (4-3, 3.38 ERA) can get their club back on track with another strong starting performance on the mound. Detroit has had absolutely no issues on the road, actually playing better then when at Comerica Park and is an ML-best 14-4 in away games so far. On the other hand, Cleveland is just above .500 (12-11) when getting to play in front of its hometown faithful. Going back three seasons now, the Tigers are a solid 24-15 (.615) in this matchup against their division foes while going 12-7 in all games played at Progressive Field. The teams have met for just two games so far this year, splitting them in Detroit. With Sunday’s win on the road, the Tigers are now a flawless 9-0 in away games this month, but are just 23-31 in road games after winning five or six of their previous seven games going back to the start of the 2012 campaign. Indians star 2B Jason Kipnis (oblique) remains on the DL, but is hoping to make his return before the end of the month.

Drew Smyly was brought up originally by the Tigers to be put in their rotation, but ended up being a huge part of their bullpen last season, pitching in 63 games and going 6-0 with a 2.37 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 9.6 batters per nine innings. The left-hander has now been put back in the rotation and has not missed a beat, allowing only six runs over his past four starts (24.1 IP). Smyly did well in his last start against the Orioles on the road Tuesday, going six innings and giving up just five hits and one run (solo HR), while striking out seven batters with only two walks. He has faced the Indians just once as a starter, getting the loss as he gave up six hits and four runs while striking out five with two walks in six innings of work on June 5, 2012. OF Michael Brantley has had a stellar start to this season and could continue hitting well as he is 4-for-7 (1 double, 1 triple) against Smyly with 2 RBI. The two struggling hitters, 3B Carlos Santana (3-for-8, 2 doubles) and 1B Nick Swisher (2-for-6, 1 HR) have also done well against the 24-year-old. The Indians will not miss Kipnis too much in this game since he is 0-for-10 with six strikeouts in this matchup, while 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (0-for-5, 1 K) has also performed poorly. Detroit’s bullpen has pitched to a 6-4 record this season with a 4.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while converting 13-of-17 (77%) save chances. These relievers have been much better on the road though, with a low 2.81 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, and are 6-for-7 in saves away from home. Closer Joe Nathan (3.24 ERA, 11 saves) has now been successful at closing out the game in his past 10 attempts, but is struggling with control so far this year, as he has already walked eight batters in just 16.2 frames.

Corey Kluber has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for the Indians in 2014 and has won each of his past two starts. He has already struck out 66 batters in 58.2 innings (10.1 K/9), and needs that since opponents have produced a .353 BABIP against him this year. Kluber was supported by 15 runs from his offense in his last start against Toronto on Wednesday, as he went seven innings and gave up just four hits and two runs while striking out nine with one walk. Over his past five starts, he has struck out 47 batters compared to just seven walks in 35.1 frames. Kluber has not done well against Detroit in his career though, putting up a 1-3 record (2-4 team record) with a 4.80 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, and has earned a no-decision in each of the past two outings. The righty actually pitched a tremendous game when he last faced them on Aug. 5, 2013, throwing 7.1 scoreless innings while allowing just six hits and striking out six with only one walk. 1B Miguel Cabrera has gone 8-for-17 with three homers and 7 RBI in his career against Kluber, while DH Victor Martinez (6-for-12) has also been great against him. On the other hand, OF Austin Jackson (2-for-11, 3 K’s), C Alex Avila (2-for-15, 4 K’s) and OF Torii Hunter (3-for-12, 4 K’s) have really not been able to find their rhythm against the Indians’ starter. While Cleveland’s bullpen was poor on Sunday (5.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 walks), they have gone 7-6 this year with a 3.36 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, while converting 12-of-16 (75%) save opportunities. Cody Allen (3.38 ERA, 1 save) and Bryan Shaw (1.80 ERA, 2 saves) are expected to split the closing duties for the time being.


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