Cleveland vs Chicago | Interleague series begins at Wrigley Field

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The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs start an interleague series from Wrigley Field on Monday night and because it’s in a National League park, the Indians will lose the designated hitter. The Cubs are favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Indians at Cubs MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Monday, 8:05 PM ET
Where: Wrigley Field
Probable pitchers (away/home): Aaron Civale/Adbert Alzolay
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Opening MLB Lines: Cubs -140, Indians +130 (total TBA)

Why Bet on Cleveland?

The Indians avoided a sweep in Pittsburgh on Sunday with a 2-1 victory. James Karinchak worked around a walk to pick up the save. Karinchak issued the one-out walk to Ben Gamel, but he got Kevin Newman to ground out to second and struck out Colin Moran to procure the save. Karinchak is now up to eight saves on the season, and he lowered his ERA to 2.84. Karinchak allowed a three-run homer by Bryan Reynolds in the seventh inning of a 6-3 loss on Saturday. Because he has pitched back-to-back days, he may not be available for this one.

Harold Ramirez stayed hot Sunday with a solo shot to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. After recording his first career multi-homer game on Saturday, Ramirez has now homered in back-to-back games for the second time in his career; the first coming on Aug. 29-30, 2019, when Ramirez was with the Marlins. The Tribe is 32-16 in games in which the team homers. After going 1-for-4 on Sunday, the outfielder is batting .326 in 46 at-bats in June.

“I’m feeling really happy about the result that we’re getting,” said Ramirez. “[Also], that I’m able to help the team and contribute with my part. I just try to do my job.”

Since Terry Francona took over as Cleveland manager in 2013, the Indians are 54-38 against the NL Central and 26-22 on the road. The Tribe remain without catcher Austin Hedges as he’s dealing with a concussion. He won’t be ready for this series. Outfielder/DH Franmil Reyes could begin a minor league rehab assignment this week. Reyes is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from the internal oblique strain that he suffered in late May. His initial timetable was 5-7 weeks, but it would appear that he might be ready in four. The 25-year-old slugger had .893 OPS with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 40 games before the injury.

It’s Aaron Civale (10-2, 3.48) on the mound here. With Shane Bieber and Zach Plesac on the IL, Civale is the front man of the Indians’ rotation. He will take the mound against the Cubs for the second time in his career. Civale’s previous start vs. Chicago saw him allow just two runs over six innings.

Civale took the mound most recently last Wednesday vs. Baltimore and allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks but was still able to pick up the win. He became the first pitcher in the majors this season to reach 10 wins despite having one of his worst performances of the season. Civale only generated a 15 percent whiff rate and surrendered a lot of hard contact, including a three-run homer to Ryan Mountcastle in the fifth inning.

Why Bet on Chicago?

The Cubs avoided a home sweep vs. Miami with a 2-0 win Sunday. Heading into Sunday, it had been a week since the Cubs scored a run by means other than a homer. That streak ended in the third, when Jason Heyward raced home from third on a passed ball to push Chicago to a 1-0 lead.

Craig Kimbrel struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save. He got Adam Duvall to strike out looking on a called third strike and Jesus Sanchez chased a fastball off the plate for strike three to end the game. Kimbrel has been one of the best closers in the game this season with a 0.61 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 49 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings with 20 saves. He is now tied with Jonathan Papelbon for ninth on MLB’s all-time saves list (368). Kimbrel’s .105 average against this season is second-best among N.L. relievers behind the Dodgers Kenley Jansen (.101).

Even with Sunday’s win, the Cubs still have scored three or fewer runs in a season-high eight straight games, totaling 16 in those. The last time the team had a longer stretch with three or fewer runs scored was nine-straight contests, April 25-May 4, 2018.

It’s Adbert Alzolay (4-5, 4.06) on the mound here. Alzolay has been on the injured list since June 8 due to a blister on his right middle finger but will be activated. Alzolay said he “went heavy” on spinning his slider in the bullpen last Thursday and felt good without any blister-related issues. He estimated he threw 30-32 pitches.

It will be his second career start vs. Cleveland. The first came May 11, taking the loss after tossing six innings and allowing three runs on five hits (two home runs) in a duel against Shane Bieber.

Game Trends

Indians are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Indians are 3-8 in their last 11 interleague road games.
Cubs are 8-3 in their last 11 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 13-5 in their last 18 Monday games.
Cubs are 18-7 in their last 25 interleague home games.