By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: Toronto Blue Jays +129 at Cleveland Indians -140 Total 7.5
The Blue Jays send Marco Estrada to the mound tonight to face Cleveland’s #1 starter, Cory Kluber. Estrada posted an ERA of 3.48 and went 9–9 during the regular season, including (7–2,) in his road starts averaging 6.4 innings per start. In his most recent road start, (game 1 at Texas vs. the Rangers,) Estrada allowed 1 run on 4 hits through 8 innings. He had three post season start in 2015, he pitched 6.1 innings vs. the Rangers allowing 1 earned, 5.1 vs. the Royals and allowed 3 earned and he also went 7.2 innings vs. the Royals last season allowing 1 earned run.
In his lone start vs. Cleveland this season Estrada went 5 innings allowing 3 earned runs, (2 homers,) on 5 hits while walking no one and striking out 7, (a 9–6 victory.) In 2015 he pitched 7 innings vs. Cleveland allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits, (2 homers,) walking 1 and striking out 2, in a (5–3 win.) Estrada has an ERA of 1.33, WHIP of 0.787 in his most recent three starts.
As for Kluber, he has also pitched extremely well in his last three starts with an ERA of 2.08, WHIP of 1.154 with he/team going 3–0. At home this season Kluber has been tough on opposing teams going 12–05 with an ERA of 3.05, WHIP of 1.093. It has been a different story for Kluber when facing the Blue Jays as he/team is 1–3 with his ERA being 5.34, WHIP of 1.674. In two starts vs. the Blue Jays this season he went 1–1 pitching a combined 10 innings while allowing 7 earned runs on 13 hits, (2 of which were homers,) while walking 8 vs. 12 strikeouts. Last season Kluber faced Toronto once, a (11 – 04 loss,) as Kluber allowed 4 earned runs in 5 innings on 8 hits, (1 homer,) while walking 2 vs. 3 strikeouts. Kluber is –15.20-units vs. the money line the past two seasons.
In Review
· My third post season selection on the Giants at –104 in game 3 vs. the Cubs was a winner. I’m 3–0 this post season and +3.33-units.
Blue Jays at Indians Pick
It is never a bad situation when you are getting a pitcher with a better record vs. his opponent at plus money. My 4th Every Edge post season selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays at +131.