How to Bet Cubs at Indians MLB Odds & TV Info
- When: Wednesday, 6:10 PM ET
- Where: Progressive Field
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Kyle Hendricks/Carlos Carrasco
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
- Opening MLB Lines: Indians -120, Cubs +110 (total 8)
These two games against Cleveland will give Chicago six straight interleague games following four games against the Royals last week. All told, Chicago will play 20 games against A.L. Central Division opponents this season. The Cubs have had a winning record against the A.L. every year since 2016 and last had a losing season against the A.L. in 2014 (9-11). Chicago is 6-1 in its last seven interleague games and 9-3 in its last 12 dating to July 19 of last year.
The Cubs are down two relievers in James Norwood and Brad Wieck. Norwood threw a bullpen session Monday. He went down just about a week ago, so it’s a good sign he’s already throwing bullpens. Barring any setbacks, he’ll presumably be game-ready again soon. Wieck threw a bullpen session. Tuesday. He landed on the 10-day injured list late last month due to a right hamstring strain, but he’s beginning to make progress. He allowed two runs in one inning of work with the Cubs this season prior to the injury.
The Cubs start Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 3.54). He pitched seven innings and allowed two runs last Tuesday in defeating the Royals. Hendricks had an off day his previous start against the Reds, but he’s been sharp his other two times out and is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA for the season. Dating back to last year, he’s allowed a total of seven walks in his last 12 starts.
Hendricks was originally scheduled to pitch this past Sunday against the Cardinals, but the entire series was wiped out due to a coronavirus outbreak in the St. Louis organization. The righty will now take the mound on eight days of rest.
He will be making his first regular season appearance vs. Cleveland. However, Hendricks pitched in two fairly important games in the 2016 World Series vs. Cleveland, including 4.2 innings in Game 7. In that series, he allowed just two runs (one earned) in 9.0 innings.
Why Bet on Cleveland?The Indians and Cubs have not played each other in the regular season since 2018. The Indians lead, 15-14, overall.
The Tribe have activated outfielder Tyler Naquin from the injured list and called up lefty pitcher Logan Allen from their alternate training site. Naquin has been sidelined with a hairline fracture in his right big toe. The 29-year-old rebounded with a .288/.325/.467 batting line over 89 games last season prior to going down with a torn right ACL.
Manager Terry Francona rejoined the team on Tuesday. Francona was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic a week ago due to a lingering gastrointestinal issue.
The Tribe go with Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 2.50). Carrasco gave up just one hit in six scoreless innings to help the Indians to a win over the Reds on Thursday. If there was one flaw, it was that Carrasco walked four, but he also struck out eight. It looked like Carrasco lost a little something as he pushed up close to 100 pitches — he issued back-to-back two-out walks and uncorked a wild pitch in the sixth inning — but he was brilliant otherwise.
Hard not to root for Carrasco off a cancer issue in 2019. Carrasco’s journey carried him through energy-sapping medical treatments and periods of doubt over whether he would ever pitch again. But he managed to return to Cleveland’s bullpen in September and got back in the rotation this year.
He’s struck out 23 hitters against six walks on the year. Carrasco will have his work cut out for him with the Cubs. Chicago’s offense as a whole ranks fifth in the majors with a 114 wRC+, buoyed by a fourth-best .332 on-base percentage.
Game Trends- Cubs are 15-6 in their last 21 vs. American League Central.
- Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Cubs are 39-18 in their last 57 interleague games.
- Indians are 10-2 in their last 12 vs. National League Central.
- Indians are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Indians are 43-16 in their last 59 Wednesday games.
