Kluber, Tribe welcome Angels to town
Terry Francona’s Indians are coming home — and it’s not a moment too soon.
The American League Central leaders open a slew of games in northern Ohio tonight, taking on the Angels at 7:10 p.m. ET. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI expect the Progressive Field atmosphere to give the Tribe a much-needed lift, too. Cleveland is considered a 1.5-run favorite entering the action, whereas Los Angeles represents a +220 underdog.
Despite the Indians’ overall record of 63-48, August has presented no shortage of challenges. The team is just 3-6 so far this month, dropping back-to-back series to the Twins and Yankees. Francona himself missed Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Washington due to chest pains.
All appears well on the health front, however, and Corey Kluber’s (11-8, 3.22 ERA) job consists of carrying that same attitude to the field. The 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner holds a 3- record with a 1.46 ERA since July 4. Most recently, he hurled a three-hitter vs. the Yanks.
Jhoulys Chacin (3-7, 5.27), of course, would kill for a performance along those lines. The lefty’s preparing to make his first start in five-plus weeks. He carries a 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 career innings vs. Cleveland.
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Yesterday’s 3-1 loss to the Cubs marked the Angels’ sixth straight setback. Clearly, Mike Scioscia’s troops are ill-equipped to handle a flamethrower of Kluber’s caliber at present. Unless Mike Trout can muster a Herculean effort, don’t expect a particularly close affair.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: INDIANS -1.5