The Yankees and Indians continue their four game set at Progressive Field this evening as former Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia takes the hill for New York. Tonight's game is scheduled to start at 7:05pm ET in Cleveland, Ohio. Yankees vs Indians Free Baseball Predictions at Sportsbook.com have the Tribe listed as a +159 money line underdog in this evening's contest.
New York took game one of the series last night, getting the better of Cleveland as Andy Pettitte survived a five inning, six hit, five walk effort to escape with a 3-1 win. The victory vaulted the Yankees past the Red Sox and into first place in the American League East standings with a 28-20 record. It also improved their road record to 14-11.
The Yankees, winners of seven of their last 10, will send longtime Indian, C.C. Sabathia, to the mound tonight to face his old club. Sabathia has had his ups and downs this season, but has been rounding into form of late. New York is 3-1 in the big southpaw's last four starts; he has worked a total of 32 innings in those four appearances and given up just six earned runs.
On the season, Sabathia is 4-3 in 10 starts with a 3.42 ERA. The 28 year old is 21-14 in 42 starts at Progressive Field over the last three years with a 3.53 ERA.
Cleveland, who has also won seven of their last 10 games, fell to 21-29 with last night's loss. They are presently in fifth place in the American League's Central division and trailing the first place Tigers by 6.5 games. At the conclusion of their series with the Yanks, the Indians will play their next nine ball games against AL Central squads.
Eric Wedge will counter Sabathia with the 25 year old Fausto Carmona. Carmona is having another tough year, sporting a 6.42 ERA over 10 starts in addition to having two more walks than strikeouts (35 to 33). Despite his poor performance, Cleveland is 3-0 in his last three starts.
The Dominican native's last outing was his worst of the year as he gave up three hits and five earned runs to the Tampa Bay Rays in just 1.1 innings. However, the Indians managed to stage an epic comeback and win the game 11-10.
Sportsbook.com Yankees vs Indians Free Baseball Predictions:
New York Yankees -1.5 (-115), Over 9.5 (-110), -169 (Moneyline)
Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-105), Under 9.5 (-110), +159 (Moneyline)
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