Posted on
5/7/2008 2:56:16 PM
Bet On MLB Baseball - Spectacular Hurlers Take Mound as Yanks Host Indians
By Eric Williams
Something has got to give in online betting action tonight when two of the best pitchers in the American League, who are both undefeated in the early going this season, face off tonight as the New York Yankees, (17-17, 9-23-1 O/U) host the Cleveland Indians, (15-17, 14-18 O/U) in the second game of their three-game series tonight.
After correctly calling Tuesday night’s contest between these teams in the BetUS Locker Room by selecting the Indians to win behind talented starter Fausto Carmona, which they did, 5-3, I am back with what should be another winning wager on tonight’s matchup, though I will readily admit that tonight’s cal is infinitely tougher with two spectacular starters going.
The Yankees will send their best starter the past two seasons to the mound in 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang, (6-0, 3.00) looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s loss, looking for a performance similar to the one he delivered on Friday when he limited the Seattle Mariners to just one run on three hits in six innings of New York’s 5-1 win.
"I think you feel really good when he takes the mound," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the team's official Web site. "He's won 38 games the last two years. Obviously, when Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound, you feel good about your chances."
While the Yankees are right to feel good about their chances with Mien-Wang on the mound, the Cleveland Indians have every right to feel just as confident with surprising starter Cliff Lee, (5-0, 0.96 ERA) taking the hill looking to extend his perfect record by delivering another spectacular performance, though he will likely need to be better than he was in his last start as he allowed three runs on eight hits including a home run in six innings as the Indians beat the Seattle Mariners 8-3 o Wednesday.
Lee may not get nearly as much press as fellow Indians starter C.C. Sabathia, the 2007 AL Cy Young award winner or even 19-game winner Fausto Carmona, but Lee and his major league-leading 0.96 ERA, take a back seat to no one this season.
"I'm happy with how things have gone," said Lee. "My job is to give the team a chance to win, and I feel like I've done that every time I went out there. We've won - that's the goal."
Lee earned the American League Pitcher of the Month award on Saturday as is the first pitcher to win his first five starts with an ERA under 1.00 since New York Mets starter Pedro Martinez pulled off the feat in 1997.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
The Indians are 4-0 in Lee’s last four starts on grass.
The Indians are 4-0 in Lee’s last four starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Yankees are 13-3 in Wang’s last 16 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Yankees are 21-5 in Wang’s last 26 starts vs. American League Central.
The Under is 4-1 in Lee’s last five starts overall.
The Over is 4-1-1 in Wang’s last six Wednesday starts.
The Over is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings in New York.
The Under is 4-1-1 in Wang’s last six starts vs. Indians.
Analysis: The more I thought about this pick, the easier it became for me as I realized that the Yankees and Mien-Wang will likely extract some revenge on the Indians for losing last night, while touching up Lee, who didn’t look particularly overpowering in his last start against the Mariners. Take the Yankees in a tight one tonight.
MLB Free Picks: Yankees 5 Indians 3
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Cleveland Indians
Cliff Lee - L +1½ -170
New York Yankees
Chien-Ming Wang - R -1½ +150
Over 7½ -115
Under 7½ -105
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