Atlanta Braves at Cleveland Indians Free Preview

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The Cleveland Indians will welcome the Atlanta Braves to Progressive Field in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The opening pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio will showcase this interleague matchup.

Atlanta Braves vs. Cleveland Indians Odds

Cleveland (-130) is favored over Atlanta (+120) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 7.5 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds coming in at Braves +1.5 runs (-175) and Indians -1.5 runs (+155).

The Indians are 11-7 straight up (SU) and 8-10 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 1.8 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 1.9 units ATS. Cleveland has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Braves have gone 9-9 SU this year and are 8-10 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 2.3 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 1.0 unit ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.

Cleveland games have had an over/under record of 8-10 so far in 2019. The Braves have an over/under record of 8-8-2.

The right-handed Julio Teheran is projected to start for the visiting Braves. Teheran is 2-1 with a 4.71 ERA and 23 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Indians this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.

The Indians are putting the ball in the right hand of Corey Kluber (1-2, 6.16 ERA, 1.84 WHIP), who’s got 21 strikeouts and 10 walks this season. Kluber did not re a start against the Braves in 2018.

As a unit, Cleveland’s pitching staff has yielded 3.4 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.45, a WHIP of 1.19 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 11.5. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.68, a WHIP of 1.14 and a K/9 of 9.2.

Cleveland’s hitters are putting up 3.5 runs per outing, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .221/.287/.319 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

First baseman Carlos Santana and right fielder Leonys Martin have led the Indians’ hitters this year. Santana is slashing .389/.515/.537 with 21 hits, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored, while Martin is hitting .258 with 16 hits, five RBIs and seven runs scored.

In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.95 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.91 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.13, along with a K/9 of 9.86.

The Braves offense has slashed .263/.362/.447 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game this year, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

First baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies have led Atlanta’s hitters. Freeman is slashing .324/.446/.500 with 22 hits, nine RBIs and 16 runs scored. Albies is hitting .289/.349/.434 with 22 hits, two homers, three RBIs and 11 runs scored.

The Braves have lost 3.8 units and are 5-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to seven that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Indians have netted 3.0 units and are 6-8 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in five of those games, as opposed to nine which went under the total.

Braves vs. Indians Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes

  • The under has cashed in four of Cleveland’s last seven games.
  • The Braves have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
  • The Braves have an OPS of .809 this season and an OPS of .760 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Indians’ OPS sits at .607 overall and .601 against righties.
  • Cleveland has posted 17.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.2 over its last five.