One looking at American League Central standings might feel a need to visit an optometrist. I assure you, there's nothing wrong with your eyes. You really do see the Cleveland Indians leading the division by 1 1/2-games over second place Kansas City. Oddsmaker's World Series Predictions at Sportsbook.com had the Indian's coming off at +10000 in pre-season futures odds to win the 2011 World Series. After a hot 8-2 start, Cleveland’s World Series odds are adjusted down to +7500. The season is young, but if the Tribes winning trends continue, laying down a small futures wager could pay off big in the end.
On Tuesday (10:05 pm ET), the Tribe continues its three game series versus the Angels out in Anaheim where they got a game-1 shut-out victory as +115 MLB Lines underdogs on Monday. Right-hander Fausto Carmona (0-1, 9.00 ERA), roughed up in his first outing, gets his third start for Cleveland while LA counters with right-hander Dan Haren (2-0, 1.15 ERA). For today's game-2, Cleveland is getting +151 moneyline odds while the price of a SU ML wager on LA is -161. Oddsmakers list the over/under total at 7-runs.
Carmona did not have his good stuff as Cleveland's opening day starter at home April 1, giving up 11 hits, two of them home runs, and 10 runs (all earned) to the White Sox. His second start was much more productive at Boston April 7 pitching seven strong innings giving up only two hits and no runs. In his career, Carmona is 0-2 against the Angels in seven appearances but has pitched well over 30.2 innings with a nice ERA of 2.05.
The Angels lost on the road to Kansas City with Haren as opening day starter but the right-hander did a nice job pitching seven frames giving up one run on six hits. Haren picked up wins in his second and third starts, at Tampa Bay and at home to Toronto. Through 15.2 innings pitched, Haren has given up 10-hits, two earned runs and one homerun while striking out 13.
For today's MLB Picks ; I am going with the Angels who I like at home with Haren on the mound. Haren and Carmona must be starters for this game in order for picks and odds to count.
