Cleveland Indians (78-81) vs. Texas Rangers (59-100)
October 2, 2021 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers +115 / Cleveland Indians -152; Over/Under: -7.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the second installment in a season-ending three-game series this weekend. In the Friday opener, Cleveland powered out a three-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland played the Royals this week, winning two of the four games in that set. On Friday versus Texas, the Indians posted five runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 9-6 win. Starter Eli Morgan put up 5.2 innings with four earned on seven hits.
Starting pitcher for the Indians on Saturday will be Triston McKenzie. In his 24 games (23 starts) this year, McKenzie has a 5-8 record with a 4.81 ERA and 134 Ks in 116.0 innings.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they had a successful series versus the Angels this week, winning two of three games. On Friday Texas had 10 team hits in the defeat. Spencer Howard lasted 3.2 frames with five earned, five hits, three walks and three strikeouts.
For the starter gig on Saturday the Rangers will send out Jordan Lyles. In 173.0 innings so far this year Lyles has 192 hits, 103 runs (102 earned), 38 homers allowed, 55 walks, 138 Ks and a 5.31 ERA.
The Indians are 47-26 in their last 83 versus a team with a winning percentage below .400 and 2-6 in their last eight in game two of a series. The over is 4-0 in Cleveland’s last four in game two of a series as well.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 5-2 in their last seven in game two of a series and 7-3 in their last 10 versus a team with a losing record. Texas is 30-65 in their last 95 versus a right-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to try the Indians, but probably staying away. Lyles has been choppy over his last two starts, notching a combined eight earned runs on 15 hits, two homers and four walks in 10.1 innings. He had just one earned in 14.0 innings in two starts prior to that, though. As for McKenzie, he’s been sketchy himself with 10 earned on 14 hits and four walks in his last two starts over 6.2 innings. If neither starter is on, this one could get messy in a hurry.
