The New York Yankees’ (61-49) rule atop the American League East is now in jeopardy, no thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays going berserk of late. With their division lead now down to just 1.5 games, the Yankees look to create some breathing space when they give the ball to rookie Luis Severino to begin a three-game set on the road against AL Central bottom-feeders, Cleveland Indians (51-59). Read on for a detailed preview of this game. You can also click here for an overview of the wild card races in the American League.
[sc:MLBArticles ]New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Preview
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland
When: Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 7:10 PM ET
Line: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians – view all MLB lines
Betting on the New York Yankees
[sc:MLB240banner ]Although Luis Severino (0-1, 1.80 ERA) picked up a loss in his big-league debut, it was clear that the kid has the stuff to be a force in the majors. In the Yankees’ 2-1 loss last Wednesday to nemesis Boston, the 21-year-old Dominican threw for five innings and gave up just one run on two hits, while striking out seven Red Sox along the way. On the heels of that strong outing, Severino will look to get his first career MLB win when the Yankees takes the field at Progressive field this coming Tuesday. Dating back to 2012, the Yankees are 6-4 in their last 10 games in Cleveland.
Conspicuously missing in the Boston game was the Yankees’ decimating offense that ranks second in the majors in runs (529). Severino was perhaps hoping that he’d receive enough runs in his debut, considering that New York’s starters enjoy an average of 5.34 RS/9—second overall thus far this season.
Didi Gregorious, Chase Headley, and the rest of the Yankees’ lineup look to make it up to Severino this time around, as they face Carlo Carrasco of the Indians. Shortstop Gregorious is hitting .320 (8-for-25) this month, while Headley is batting .259 (7-for-27).
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Betting on the Cleveland Indians
Like Severino, Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.76 ERA) had a dazzling performance in his most recent start. The right-hander tossed nine scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and issuing one walk with seven strikeouts to help the Tribe get a 2-0 win over the LA Angels on Tuesday. Carrasco, however, was unlucky enough not to pick up a win as it took the Indians 12 innings to finally score in the game.
Carrasco has been pitching well of late, coming up with a 1-1 record and a solid 2.57 ERA over his last four starts. Save for a bad outing against the White Sox on July 25, when Carrasco yielded six runs in a 10-3 loss, his other three starts during that stretch had opponents scoring two runs or fewer. Carrasco will have to stay in top form when he takes on the Yankees on Tuesday. So far in his career, Carrasco owns a 3-2 record and a 4.94 ERA across six games (four were starts) against New York.
As for the offense, Cleveland’s top three guys in the order, namely Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, and Michael Brantley, will look to give Severino a tough time in the rookie’s first road test. Ramirez, who’s replaced the injured Jason Kipnis as the team’s leadoff hitter, is 8-for-24 (.333) in his last six games. Lindor and Brantley, meanwhile, are batting .326 and .390, respectively, since the midseason break.
The over is 7-3 in Carrasco’s last 10 starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland wins, 4-3.
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