Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees Prediction, Picks and Preview – August 20, 2015

The New York Yankees (67-52) moved two games clear at the top of the AL East standings with a thrilling 4-3 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Twins. The Bronx Bombers will look to stretch that advantage even further when they take on the struggling Cleveland Indians (55-64) in the opening game of their three-game set tonight.

Who will grab the edge in this American League matchup? Read on below for a breakdown of this clash and while you’re at it you can check out our preview of the game between the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees Preview

Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

When: Thursday, August 20, 7:05 PM ET

Line: Cleveland Indians (+150) at New York Yankees (-170); total: 8.5 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians stumbled to their second consecutive defeat with a 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. Starting pitcher Corey Kluber struggled mightily in this ballgame, surrendering six runs on six hits in just six innings of action. The Indians are now 18 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central race.

[sc:MLB240banner ]The Indians will look to return to winning ways tonight when they travel to New York to face the streaking Yankees. Pitching for Cleveland in the series opener is right-hander Josh Tomlin (0-1, 2.84 ERA). He was terrific in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing just two runs on five hits in 6.1 innings of action. It was a solid performance by Tomlin who was making his season debut after undergoing shoulder surgery back in April.

Tomlin needs all the help he can get, though, if he is to beat the surging Yankees tonight. Unfortunately for Tomlin, the Cleveland hitters have been struggling at the plate of late. They have scored just five runs in their last two games. For the Indians to snap out of their losing skid, they need Carlos Santana to rediscover his early-season form. He is just 7-of-29 (.241) in his last seven games with one homer and two RBIs. Santana is 1-of-2 (.500) in his career against Yankees starter Ivan Nova with one homer and one RBI.

The Indians are 3-7 in their last 10 games at Yankee Stadium.

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Betting on the New York Yankees

The New York Yankees extended their winning streak to three games with a nerve-wracking 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Rookie Greg Bird hit a pair of two-out, two-run drives to help the Yankees complete the three-game sweep. The Yankees will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when they host the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium later tonight.

Starting for the Yankees in the series opener is right-hander Ivan Nova (5-4, 3.57 ERA). He was solid in his last start, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings of action in New York’s 4-3 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. That seven-inning gem was Nova’s longest outing this season. The Yankees have won four of their last five games with Nova as their starter.

He can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the New York hitters to pick up the scoring slack as well. The onus is on outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to set the tone for the Yankees’ offense tonight. He is 13-for-32 (.406) in his last seven games with one homer and three RBIs. He is 3-for-16 lifetime against Tomlin with two doubles and two RBIs.

The Yankees are 6-4 in their last 10 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

New York (-170) wins, 6-1.
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