It’s a pair of second-place teams (at least as of this writing) facing off in a series opener on Friday night from Cleveland as the Seattle Mariners make their lone visit of the season. The Guardians are favored on the MLB betting lines behind Shane Bieber.
How to Bet Mariners vs Indians MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Friday, 7:10 PM ET
- Where: Progressive Field
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Yusei Kikuchi/Shane Bieber
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- MLB Odds: Cleveland -165 (Total 8)
Why Bet on Seattle?
The Mariners might be starting their fade. They started 16-8 but are now 18-15 after being swept two games early this week at home by the Cubs. Seattle was blanked 11-0 on Wednesday, easily its worst loss of the year. Ryon Healy’s second-inning single was the only hit of the night for the M’s.
Former All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager (hand) took on-field batting practice this week. It’s another sign of progress for the rehabbing Seager, who began fielding drills over the weekend. Seager could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around the date he’s first eligible in late May. He required surgery in mid-March to repair a partially-torn tendon in his left hand.
Domingo Santana (30) is 1 of 3 Major League players this season with at least 30 RBI, joining Cody Bellinger-LAD (37) and Christian Yelich-MIL (34). Dee Gordon has hit safely in 8 of his last 11 games, including 4 multi-hit contests, dating back to April 18. Daniel Vogelbach is a few plate appearances shy of qualifying, but he would rank 2nd in the AL with a .462 on-base percentage (Mike Trout-LAA, .487).
It’s Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi (1-1, 4.54) on the mound. As expected, Kikuchi worked a sole frame last Friday against the Rangers, part of a maintenance plan to help him through the rigors of his first season stateside. However, manager Scott Servais confirms the Japanese import will be expected to return to a normal workload Friday.
Kikuchi picked up his first MLB win in his previous outing in Anaheim, though he held the lead in four prior no-decisions.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.73
- Hits: 8.52
- Walks: 4.15
- Strike Outs: 9.97
Defense
- Runs: 5.67
- Hits: 9.64
- Walks: 3.18
- Strike Outs: 8.24
Why Bet on Cleveland?
This will be the 1,000th game as a manager for Terry Francona. He’ll become the 5th skipper in team history to manage 1,000 games for the club Friday vs. Seattle, joining Lou Boudreau (1,389), Mike Hargrove (1,312), Tris Speaker (1,139) and Eric Wedge (1,134). Francona ranks 2nd in franchise history in winning percentage (.562) among skippers who have managed the team for at least four seasons.
The Tribe comes off a 4-2 loss in Miami on Wednesday, but the loss itself wasn’t the horrible news. It’s that ace pitcher Corey Kluber took fractured his right (pitching) forearm when he took a line drive off it and will miss several weeks. The Indians initially said Kluber had a right forearm contusion but later said X-rays revealed the fracture. Kluber, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, allowed eight hits and three runs in 4⅔ innings, which left his ERA at 5.80. The Marlins won 4-2. The Indians are already without starter Mike Clevinger, who is out until at least June with a back injury.
Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 and swatted a solo homer in Wednesday’s loss. The veteran first baseman is hitting well this year and even has a good batting average, which is very unusual for him. He has a .248 career batting average in his 10-year career but is batting .323/.432/.495 with four homers and 17 RBI through 28 games.
Indians starter Shane Bieber (2-1) was charged with seven runs (five earned) on five hits over 2.1 innings in a loss to the Braves on Sunday. He struck out three and walked one. Josh Donaldson accounted for most of the damage against Bieber, taking the right-hander deep in the first and second innings. Manager Terry Francona wouldn’t let Bieber work out of trouble in the third, pulling him after only 65 pitches.
Bieber opens the homestand looking to improve upon his 6.12 career ERA at Progressive Field. He allowed one run on four hits over six-plus innings in an April 16 win vs. the Mariners. He struck out five and walked three, recording 12 fly ball outs.
Bieber is 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA (7ER/8.1IP) at Progressive Field this season and owns a 4-6 record with a 6.12 ERA (39ER/57.1IP) in 11 career appearances (10 starts) at home.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 3.83
- Hits: 6.93
- Walks: 3.69
- Strike Outs: 9.62
Defense
- Runs: 3.76
- Hits: 7.31
- Walks: 3.28
- Strike Outs: 9.72
Mariners vs Indians MLB Betting Trends
- Mariners are 1-7 in their last 8 games following an off day
- Mariners are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against Cleveland
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Seattle’s last 13 games on the road
- Indians are 4-1 in Bieber’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game
- Indians are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 9 games against Seattle
Expert MLB Betting Prediction
Seattle Mariners 4 – Cleveland Indians 5
