Cleveland Indians (71-73) vs. New York Yankees (82-65)
September 18, 2021 1:05 pm EDT
The Line: New York Yankees -200 / Cleveland Indians +145; Over/Under: -8.5
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The Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees meet Saturday in MLB action from Yankee Stadium. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend series. In the Friday opener, the Yankees posted a big shutout win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland played the Twins this week, falling 6-3 Tuesday but otherwise bagging wins 3-1 and 12-3 to take the series. On Friday versus New York, the Indians could only find four hits in an 8-0 shutout. Zach Plesac put up 6.0 innings with five earned on seven hits and a walk.
For the starter job in the Saturday game, the Indians will send out Aaron Civale. In his 105.1 innings this year Civale has 91 hits, 45 runs (44 earned), 17 homers allowed, 26 walks, 85 Ks and a 3.76 ERA.
Over on the Yankees’ side, they played the Orioles this week. New York won the first pair but then fell 3-2 Thursday in extras. In the Friday matchup, the Yankees scored four runs in the seventh inning during the win. Corey Kluber lasted 6.0 frames with four hits, no earned and two walks.
Starting pitcher for the Yankees on Saturday will be Luis Gil. In his five starts this year so far, Gil has a 1-0 record, a 2.88 ERA and 32 Ks in 25.0 innings.
The Indians are 11-29 in their last 40 versus a team with a winning record and 1-5 in their last six on Saturday. Cleveland is also 0-4 in their last four in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are 38-16 in their last 54 in game two of a series and 42-18 in their last 60 versus the AL Central. New York is 71-33 in their last 104 Saturday games as well.
PICK: I’m going to try the Indians. Gil has run into some trouble over his last two starts, giving up eight earned on eight hits and eight walks in 9.1 innings. As for Civale, he coughed up seven earned in 3.0 innings his last time up, but had a string of one earned in 9.1 innings prior to that. If either one of these guys can make it through 5.0 innings it’ll be a big help to his respective bullpen. I think Cleveland has a decent shot here.
