Indians vs. Cardinals Tuesday Prediction
After struggling for over a week, the St. Louis Cardinals have suddenly rattled off three in a row. That said, they’ll face ace Corey Kluber tonight when they host the Cleveland Indians at 8:15 p.m. ET. Will the Tribe snap the Cards’ current streak?
Game Snapshot & Odds
979 Cleveland Indians (-178) at 980 St. Louis Cardinals (+158); 7.5 runs
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
8:15 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium
TV: CLE (STO); STL (FSMW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Indians as a -178 favorite. As of this writing, 68% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Indians to beat the Cardinals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Indians’ Kluber allows one hit over seven scoreless innings
Corey Kluber dominated Wednesday, allowing just one hit over seven shutout frames in the Indians’ 12-0 victory over the White Sox. He racked up seven Ks and only walked one batter. Kluber probably had another inning in him—he left after 95 pitches—but manager Terry Francona played it safe with Cleveland staked to a commanding 11-0 lead. The only hit he gave up came in the second inning when Omar Narvaez plopped a two-out single to left field. The reigning AL Cy Young winner leads the majors with 11 victories and also ranks second in WHIP (0.81) and fifth in ERA (2.10). He gets the Cardinals in his next start Monday at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals’ Martinez knocked around by Brewers in last start
Carlos Martinez was battered for seven runs — five earned — on eight hits in four innings Thursday in a loss to the Brewers. A two-run homer (by Milwaukee’s catcher), three doubles, a pair of walks with just three strikeouts — there isn’t a whole lot positive to say about this one. And unfortunately for El Gallo, that’s been the theme since he came off the disabled list on June 5, as he’s gone 0-2 and watched his ERA climb from 1.62 to 3.24 in that four-start span. The overall numbers are still strong but the recent results are worrisome, for both fantasy owners and the Cardinals alike. Unfortunately for both, Martinez is too talented to risk benching even during a rough patch. He’ll look to regain his mojo Tuesday in an interleague tilt with the Indians.
MLB Betting Trends
Cleveland
The Indians are 19-7 in Kluber’s last 26 road starts and are 47-18 in his last 65 starts overall.
St. Louis
The Cardinals have lost all five of Martinez’s last five starts.
Prediction:
If you want to lay the -178 on the Indians to rebound tonight, I don’t blame you. They’re probably worth the risk to your bankroll because Martinez is struggling and Kluber is in postseason form. That said, I think the under is also a sound play. In the last 10 meetings between these two teams, including last night in the Cardinals’ 4-0 victory, the under is 8-1-1. The under is also 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two teams in St. Louis. Martinez is struggling and this isn’t an opposing lineup that you want to face when scuffling but if he can rebound a little then I really like this game to be a pitcher’s duel throughout.
The Pick: Indians/Cardinals under 7.5