Texas (31-21) at Cleveland (26-24)
When: Wednesday, June 1st 2016
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Time: 6:105 ET | TV: FSN Southwest, SportsTime Ohio
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The Texas Rangers aim to make it five-straight victories and a three-game sweep of the Indians when they visit Cleveland on Wednesday. The Rangers have a half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the A.L. West after yesterday’s 7-3 triumph over the Indians. The Rangers bats have come alive scoring five or more runs in the current four-game winning streak. With Rougned Odor’s suspension for punching Toronto’s Jose Bautista, Jurickson Profar has been given another chance in the majors, and the 23-year-old is making the most of the opportunity with eight hits in five games – including a home run on Tuesday – while batting out of the leadoff spot. Cleveland, meanwhile, has dropped three-straight and their pitching staff is having a tough time keeping teams off the scoreboard. They have surrendered 22 runs in the last three games, but they’re expected to get Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) back on Thursday. Cleveland RF Lonnie Chisenhall is 4-for-5 with a home run in the series.
Pitchers: Rangers – Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.34 ERA) | Indians – Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.34)
Cole Hamels will make the start tonight and he’s coming off his first loss of the season on Friday. He was hit for six runs – five earned – on eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings against Pittsburgh. Hamels is having some trouble keeping the ball in the park of late with eight home runs allowed in his last four starts. The former Phillie has allowed 11 runs and 14 hits in 10 total innings against Cleveland in his career but has not faced the Indians since moving to the American League last season.
Trevor Bauer is riding a three-start winless streak despite a pair of quality starts and will start for Cleveland tonight. Bauer allowed three runs on nine hits and a pair of walks against Baltimore on Friday and was held out of the decision in a game Cleveland went on to lose 6-4. Bauer is making his third career start against the Rangers and is looking for his first decision after allowing a total of seven runs and 11 hits in 13.2 innings.
Texas is on a roll right now and Hamels should bounce back nicely. Bauer has not fared well against Texas. This is a low price to take on a former World Series MVP and a team mashing the ball right now.
Pick: Rangers -109
