Pirates vs. Indians Prediction
Can Corey Kluber lead the Cleveland Indians to another win when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at 7:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
975 Pittsburgh Pirates at 976 Cleveland Indians
Monday, July 23, 2018
7:10PM ET – Progressive Field
TV: ATPT (Pit); STO (Cle)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Indians are the clear favorite at home in this game, as they are getting odds of -280 to win. The Pirates are listed with a money line of +230 to win, while the over/under total has been set at 8.5 runs. The public betting for this game currently has 66 percent going on Cleveland at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pirates on a tear
The Pirates have been on a roll, winning nine straight including a weekend series with the Reds. They have scored at least 6 runs in seven of the nine wins. Pittsburgh is 51-49 overall and 22-25 on the road. Pittsburgh is putting up 4.52 runs per game on offense while allowing 4.55 per contest.
Trevor Williams takes the mound for the Pirates this evening. He is making his 20th start of the year and comes into tonight with a 7-7 record, a 4.36 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Williams has 71 strikeouts with 35 walks over 99.0 innings of work.
Indians coming off loss
The Indians are coming off a 5-0 loss at Texas on Sunday to snap a brief 3-game win streak. Cleveland had scored 25 runs in the two games prior to that. The Tribe are now 54-44 overall and 31-19 at home. Cleveland is putting up 5.22 runs per contest while giving up 4.30 per contest.
Corey Kluber gets the start for the Indians tonight. He has started 20 games this season and has a 12-5 record with a 2.76 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Kluber has pitched 133.2 innings this year and has 132 strikeouts with 17 walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates have won eight straight against a team with a winning record and six straight against a right-handed starter.
Cleveland
The Indians are just 2-6 in Kluber’s last eight interleague starts and 1-4 in his last five starts against a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
Kluber is a good pitcher, but the Tribe have lost three of his last four starts and he has given up 15 runs over his last four starts. Given the odds are so big for Cleveland, I think it is worth going with Pittsburgh. The Pirates have won nine straight and are hitting the ball well. I don’t love Williams on the mound, but I will take my chances on the big dog that’s been on a roll.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +230