Yankees Open Last Series Before All-Star Break in Cleveland

The American League East New York Yankees will begin their final series before the All-Star Game break when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. The current line has New York favored at -159, Cleveland at +145 and the over/under run total on 8.5.

Entering this series, New York has a record of 41-43 overall and 18-25 at home. The Yankees are 4-6 over their past 10 games played. Cleveland entering the series is 51-33 overall and 25-13 at home. The Indians are 7-3 over their past 10 games played.

New York will send Ivan Nova to the mound on Thursday. The Yankees right-hander is 5-5 with an ERA of 5.06. Cleveland will counter with Trevor Bauer. The Indians right-hander is 7-2 with an ERA of 3.02.

Nova had a strong outing against San Diego on Saturday giving up four hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision. Nova struck out 7 and did not allow a home run for the first time in over two months.

Bauer shutout out Toronto over five innings in a relief appearance on Friday, in a 2-1 win for Cleveland. The young right-hander has a record of 4-0 over his past 8 appearances.

In five appearances in his career versus New York, Bauer has given up 16 walks over 26 innings. In those five appearances, Bauer is 1-3 with an ERA of 4.78.

This is the first of four games between the two AL rivals. The Indians are coming off a loss to Detroit, which was the first against Detroit in 12 games the two have played this season. The Tigers routed the Indians 12-2 on Wednesday to salvage the final game of a three-game set.

Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor has 4 RBIs over his past three games. He has played well in his career against the Yankees with 13 hits in 30 at bats including 2 home runs. Cleveland recently had its 14-game winning streak snapped but came back strong after two straight defeats, until yesterday.

The Yankees have played poorly on the road this season. New York is 2-4 on its current road trip of 10 games. New York lost on Wednesday to the Chicago White Sox 5-0.

Prediction: The Indians with Bauer on the mound are just too much for the Yankees mediocre hitting. Lean toward the Tribe here.