The red hot Rays will look to win their ninth consecutive road game tonight as they kickoff a three game series with the AL Central leading Indians in Cleveland. This evening's game one clash, which features hurlers Andy Sonnanstine and Josh Tomlin, is scheduled to get underway at 7:05pm ET at Progressive Field. MLB Odds and Predictions have the Indians listed as a -135 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at 8.5 (Under -120).
Tampa Bay won its fourth straight game on Sunday night, completing a sweep of the Orioles at Camden Yards to improve to
20-14 overall and move into a first place tie with the Yankees in the AL East. The 5-3 win also represented the Rays eighth straight road victory, a streak which originated on April 23rd in Toronto.
Andy Sonnanstine, a former starter turned reliever, gets the call tonight as he attempts to keep the road savvy Rays' improbable run intact. Sonnanstine, who has appeared in six games out of the bullpen this season, will be making his first start as he steps into the rotation for the injured Jeff Niemann.
Sonnanstine is 26-29 with a 5.33 ERA in 76 career starts, but his numbers against the Indians are even less impressive. The Ohio native and Kent State product has allowed 36 hits and 25 earned runs in 23.2 innings of work (9.51 ERA) opposite Cleveland.
The 22-11 Tribe enter this evening's contest off a six game road stretch that saw go 3-3 against the Athletics and Angels. Prior to their western excursion, the Indians won six straight at home, sweeping division rivals Kansas City and Detroit.
Cleveland, which is 13-2 at Progressive Field this season, will counter the Rays' Sonnanstine with 26 year old Josh Tomlin. Tomlin, who will be making his first career start against Tampa Bay, is 4-1 in six appearances this season with a 2.43 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. The Tyler, Texas native has walked eight and struck out 23 in 40.2 innings pitched.
Tampa Bay owned this series last season winning seven of the nine games it played against the Tribe. Cleveland, however, is 5-2 in its last seven against the Rays at Progressive Field.
MLB Predictions Betting Trend: Cleveland is 10-0 in its last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 8.5 and 9 (Over 7-3).
Rays vs Indians Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-170), Over 8.5 (+100), +115 (Moneyline)
Cleveland Indians -1.5 (+150), Under 8.5 (-120), -135 (Moneyline)
