The New York Yankees have won six of seven as they hold on to the AL East lead. They’re 67-52 this year up $520 against the moneyline as they host the Cleveland Indians who’ve struggled with a 55-64 record and -$2,168 moneyline tally.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Yankees have won six of seven, including a three game sweep over the Minnesota Twins in their return to Yankee Stadium.
New York has thrived at home with a 35-21 record and have also played well during the day in winning 21 of 37 games.
On the other side, the Indians have lost four of their last five games and are 19-23 during the day. They’re better on the road than at home posting a 31-30 road record.
PITCHING MATCHUP
A couple talented young right-handers meet on Saturday afternoon when Luis Severino takes the hill to face Danny Salazar.
The Yankees protected Severino in trade talks at the deadline, calling him up shortly thereafter. In three big league starts, the rookie is 0-2, but has allowed just six earned runs in 17 innings and has a 1.059 WHIP, though he’s already allowed a pair of home runs.
In the minors, the 21-year old dominated the opposition posting a 1.91 ERA and 0.929 WHIP.
Salazar, meanwhile, had a brief one start outing in the minors, but has otherwise been in the majors this year.
The 25-year old is back to his 2013 form after struggling last year. In 22 starts he’s 11-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.060 WHIP.
In a start against the Yankees earlier this month, Salazar went seven and a third strong innings, allowing just one run and recording a win. Severino allowed two runs in six innings in his only start against the Indians.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I think I’m doing pretty good, and I’ll keep working hard so I can do it better. I just try to hit the glove most of the time. Hit the glove and everything’s going to be okay.” – Luis Severino speaking of his early success that’s yet to equate to a win.
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
With Mark Teixeira dealing with nagging injuries, the Yankees promoted prospect Greg Bird to play first and he hasn’t disappointed, single-handedly winning the game on Wednesday with a pair of two-run home runs against the Twins.
In his young career, he’s now 6-for-18 with three extra base hits.
With Bird in place of Tex, the Yankees still have a deep lineup and the improved bat of Didi Gregorious at shortstop leaves second base as the only position with a question mark though Jacoby Ellsbury has struggled in the second half hitting just .220 with a .255 OBP.
That, of course, puts more pressure on Brett Gardner and the middle of the order to pick up the slack.
Even with a slumping Ellsbury, the Yankees are third in baseball with 162 runs scored since the All-Star break and second overall with 571.
The Indians, on the other hand, rank No. 21 in all of baseball in runs scored this year with 476 and have scored just a single run in three of their last five games.
That said, Jason Kipnis is back off the disabled list and should give the team a spark. His .866 OPS leads the team as does his .321 average.
PROP TALK
Neither pitcher has much experience against the opposition. Chris Johnson, however, did manage to put together a good game against Severino the last time he faced the Indians.
In three at bats, Johnson collected two hits.
On the other side, Brian McCann has a home run in three career at bats versus Salazar.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Severino doesn’t have a win and the Indians win more often than not with Salazar on the mound. Still, the rest of the team matters, too, and Severino has already showed that in spite of the losses, he can keep his team in the game.
Offensively, the Yankees have the clear edge and the trends also point to them as they’re in the midst of a hot streak.
Lastly, the bullpen is a clear edge for New York with Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances in the backend as the best one-two punch in baseball.
New York 5, Cleveland 4
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Cleveland Indians versus the New York Yankees will commence Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
