Posted on
5/6/2008 2:40:44 PM
MLB Free Picks – Inconsistency Rules as Indians Visit Yankees
By Eric Williams
While the Cleveland Indians, (14-17, 14-17 O/U) and New York Yankees, (17-16, 9-22-1 O/U) were each expected to be two of the best online betting teams in the American League in 2008, each club has struggled with inconsistency all season long as each team’s last ten games clearly indicates.
The Indians come into tonight’s matchup having dropped their last two games in the BetUS Sportsbook, including a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday - after winning their previous two games - while the Yankees come in riding a three-game winning streak that includes a convincing 8-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Monday, after dropping their three previous contests.
"It's been kind of streaky," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I'd like to shorten one streak and lengthen another."
Tonight, each club will take another step toward attaining the consistency they are both looking for as the Yankees kick off a three-game online MLB baseball betting series with the Indians at home tonight.
The Yankees will trot out veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte (3-3, 3.93 ERA), looking for a victory after consecutive losses. Pettitte allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings as the Yankees ell to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
The Indians, who had only four hits in their 2-0 home loss to Kansas City on Sunday, sound like they may be getting desperate even at this early juncture of the regular season.
"We're in the middle of evaluating everything," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We're looking at everything and we're going to do whatever we possibly can do to make whatever adjustments we need to make."
Cleveland will turn to blossoming right-hander Fausto Carmona (3-1, 2.60) a 19-game winner in 2007. Carmona was solid in his last outing, limiting the Mariners to two runs, (one earned) on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of Cleveland’s 7-2 loss.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and MLB Wagering Free Picks:
The Indians are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
The Indians are 5-1 in Carmona’s last 6 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
The Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
The Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
The Over is 8-0 in Carmona’s last 8 starts overall.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Yankees last 5 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
The Over is 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York.
Analysis: While the Yankees are coming off three consecutive wins and are probably feeling good about themselves entering this matchup, I say the Cleveland Indians win this matchup while getting a stellar performance from Carmona who can often be overpowering these days. Don’t expect a rout, but take the Indians to win outright.
MLB Free Picks: Indians 4 Yankees 2
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Cleveland Indians
Fausto Carmona - R +1½ -175
New York Yankees
Andy Pettitte - L -1½ +155
Over 9 EV
Under 9 -120
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